• Pakistan's Fakhar Zaman holds the player of the series award after scoring his second straight century in the third ODI against South Africa at SuperSport Park in Centurion. AFP
    Pakistan's Fakhar Zaman holds the player of the series award after scoring his second straight century in the third ODI against South Africa at SuperSport Park in Centurion. AFP
  • The Pakistan team pose for a photograph after winning the ODI series against South Africa at SuperSport Park in Centurion. AFP
    The Pakistan team pose for a photograph after winning the ODI series against South Africa at SuperSport Park in Centurion. AFP
  • Pakistan' pacers Mohammad Hasnain, left, Haris Rauf, centre, and Shaheen Afridi with the ODI series trophy. AFP
    Pakistan' pacers Mohammad Hasnain, left, Haris Rauf, centre, and Shaheen Afridi with the ODI series trophy. AFP
  • South Africa's batsman Daryn Dupavillon is bowled by Pakistan's bowler Shaheen Afridi. AP
    South Africa's batsman Daryn Dupavillon is bowled by Pakistan's bowler Shaheen Afridi. AP
  • Pakistan's Sarfaraz Ahmed, left, celebrates the dismissal of South Africa's Andile Phehlukwayo. AFP
    Pakistan's Sarfaraz Ahmed, left, celebrates the dismissal of South Africa's Andile Phehlukwayo. AFP
  • Mohammad Nawaz of Pakistan took three quick wickets at SuperSport Park in Pretoria. Getty
    Mohammad Nawaz of Pakistan took three quick wickets at SuperSport Park in Pretoria. Getty
  • Mohammad Nawaz of Pakistan bowls Temba Bavuma. Getty
    Mohammad Nawaz of Pakistan bowls Temba Bavuma. Getty
  • Opener Fakhar Zaman hit his second century of the series. Getty
    Opener Fakhar Zaman hit his second century of the series. Getty
  • Pakistan's batsman Fakhar Zaman was named player of the series. AP
    Pakistan's batsman Fakhar Zaman was named player of the series. AP
  • Pakistan captain Babar Azam scored an attacking 94. AFP
    Pakistan captain Babar Azam scored an attacking 94. AFP
  • Pakistan's Fakhar Zaman celebrates after reaching his century. AFP
    Pakistan's Fakhar Zaman celebrates after reaching his century. AFP

Fakhar Zaman, Babar Azam and bowlers lead Pakistan to ODI series win in South Africa - in pictures


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Captain Babar Azam hailed a rare series win by Pakistan in South Africa after they defeated the hosts by 28 runs in the third and final ODI in Centurion on Wednesday to take the 50-over leg of the tour 2-1.

The star batsman said Pakistan wanted to continue winning when they go into a four-match Twenty20 series which starts in Johannesburg on Saturday.

"It's a confidence game and we gained a lot of confidence," he said. "We will take that and try and win the T20 series."

South Africa, without five key players because of Indian Premier League commitments, suffered two further blows when key batsman Rassie van der Dussen had to withdraw before the match with a quad injury, while captain Temba Bavuma appeared to suffer a hamstring injury, which could put his participation in the T20 series in doubt.

Opener Fakhar Zaman hit 101 off 104 balls, his second successive century, and Babar made 94 off 82 deliveries to set up Pakistan's win. Babar was named man-of-the-match and Fakhar took the man-of-the-series award.

"It means a lot," said Fakhar. "For two years I didn't score that much."

Fakhar followed up his sensational 193 in the second match in Johannesburg with a measured start, scoring his first 50 off 62 balls before accelerating to his hundred.

"My plan was very simple," he said. "I was trying to play normally for the first 10 overs. On these grounds in the morning it is not easy to play with two new balls."

South Africa's chances of chasing down Pakistan's total of 320-7 were effectively snuffed out by left-arm spinner Mohammad Nawaz, who took three wickets in successive overs to reduce the hosts to 140-5 in the 28th over.

Promising batsman Kyle Verreynne (62) and all-rounder Andile Phehlukwayo (54) put on 108 off 100 balls for the sixth wicket but both were dismissed in the space of seven balls. South Africa were bowled out for 292.

Nawaz took 3-34 from his seven overs while left-arm quick Shaheen Afridi finished with 3-58.

Boucher said he was disappointed with the series result. "We never like to lose a series in your home conditions but throughout the series Pakistan were the better side."

The South African coach said the fact that leading players were missing had been taken into account in the series planning.

"We knew exactly what was going on quite some time ago, so there are no excuses," he said.