Imams ton helps Pakistan to Set 318-run target for SA
The five-match series is leveled at 1-1.
(Dunya News) – Imam s century and half centuries from Babar and Hafeez help Pakistan score 317 for 6 in the third match at SuperSport Park in Centurion today (Friday).
Fakhar Zaman’s travails continued tough and Pakistan were struggling at 4-1 after 3.1 overs when the left-hander was dismissed for just two off 10 balls.
Ending partnership with Imam-ul-Haq, Steyn pounced to get the crucial wicket of right-handed Babar at 69 off 72 balls for LBW decision.
Imam-ul-Haq reached his fifth ODI century to underpin the innings, sharing in stands of 132 with Babar Azam and 84 with Mohammad Hafeez to set a platform before a promoted Imad Wasim accelerated the innings with an unbeaten 23-ball 43.
Later Muhammad Hafeez rapid 52 envisaged with six fours and one mighty six and later quick-fire by Imad Waseem with 43 only on 23 balls with seven fours help Pakistan to set 318 runs target for South Africa.
After the defeat in the second ODI in Durban, the national team is facing South Africa at SuperSport Park in Centurion today, where captain Sarfraz Ahmed won the toss and decided to bat first.
With the series leveled by South Africa in Durban and very much alive, the hosts slotted the experienced pair of Dale Steyn and Quinton de Kock back into their playing XI. The tinkering also continued as South Africa gave a maiden ODI cap to left-arm seamer Beuran Hendricks.
Pakistan missed Imad Wasim s throttling and Mohammad Amir s zip with the new ball in Durban, and both players have been drafted back in, with Faheem Ashraf and Hussain Talat sitting out.
The five-match series is leveled at 1-1.
South Africa: 1 Hashim Amla, 2 Quinton de Kock (wk), 3 Reeza Hendricks, 4 Faf du Plessis (capt), 5 Rassie van der Dussen, 6 David Miller, 7 Andile Phehlukwayo, 8 Kagiso Rabada, 9 Dale Steyn, 10 Tabraiz Shamsi, 11 Beuran Hendricks
Pakistan: 1 Fakhar Zaman, 2 Imam-ul-Haq, 3 Babar Azam, 4 Mohammad Hafeez, 5 Shoaib Malik, 6 Safraz Ahmed (capt & wk), 7 Shadab Khan, 8 Imad Wasim, 9 Mohammad Amir, 10 Hasan Ali, 11 Shaheen Shah Afridi
