Pakistan won their first ODI series against South Africa on home soil with a dominant seven-wicket victory in Faisalabad on November 8, 2025. After restricting the visitors to just 143 runs, Pakistan chased down the target in only 25.1 overs to clinch the series 2-1. Spinner Abrar Ahmed was the star with the ball, taking a career-best 4 wickets for 27 runs, while Saim Ayub’s explosive 77 off 70 balls, featuring 11 fours and a six, guided Pakistan home.
Match Scorecard
| Team | Score | Overs | Wickets | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| South Africa | 143 | 37.5 | All Out | Lost by 7 wickets |
| Pakistan | 144/3 | 25.1 | 3 wickets | Won with 149 balls remaining |
Top Performers
| Player | Team | Role | Performance |
|---|---|---|---|
| Abrar Ahmed | Pakistan | Bowler | 4/27 in 10 overs |
| Saim Ayub | Pakistan | Batsman | 77 runs off 70 balls (11×4, 1×6) |
| Quinton de Kock | South Africa | Batsman | 53 runs off 70 balls |
| Mohammad Rizwan | Pakistan | Batsman | 32* runs off 45 balls |
| Salman Agha | Pakistan | All-rounder | 2/18 bowling, 5* batting |
Key Moments
- Early Disaster: Fakhar Zaman was dismissed for a two-ball duck by Nandre Burger in the first over
- SA’s Strong Start: Quinton de Kock and Lhuan-dre Pretorius added 72 runs for the first wicket, giving South Africa hope
- Spin Magic: Salman Agha broke through with the first two wickets before Abrar Ahmed took control Spectacular Collapse: South Africa lost their last eight wickets for just 37 runs, collapsing from 106/2 to 143 all out
- De Kock Milestone: De Kock completed 7,000 ODI runs, becoming the second-fastest to the mark after Hashim Amla in 158 innings
- Abrar’s Demolition: Abrar took three wickets in two overs, dismissing Rubin Hermann, Donovan Ferreira, and Corbin Bosch
- Ayub-Azam Partnership: Babar Azam and Saim Ayub added 65 runs for the second wicket to stabilize Pakistan’s chase
- Ayub-Rizwan Stand: Another 65-run partnership between Ayub and Mohammad Rizwan sealed the victory
Match Analysis
The third ODI was a complete turnaround for Pakistan after their heavy defeat in the second match. The slow, low Faisalabad pitch suited Pakistan’s spinners perfectly, and South Africa’s batsmen struggled to adapt.
After opting to bat first, South Africa looked comfortable at 72/0, but once the spinners came into action, the match turned dramatically. Abrar Ahmed exploited the conditions brilliantly, using his variations and the low bounce to deceive the South African batsmen. His googly was particularly effective, and he wrapped up the middle order in devastating fashion.
Pakistan’s chase was clinical despite losing Fakhar early. Saim Ayub played an outstanding knock, attacking from the start and never allowing South Africa’s bowlers to settle. His strike rate of over 110 ensured there was no late drama, even after Babar Azam’s run-out. Mohammad Rizwan played the perfect supporting role, ensuring Pakistan crossed the line comfortably.
What’s Next?
This series win marks the return of international cricket to Faisalabad and gives Pakistan important momentum. The victory will boost Pakistan’s confidence ahead of upcoming international fixtures. South Africa, despite the series loss, can take heart from Quinton de Kock’s excellent form throughout the series, as he was named Player of the Series with 239 runs.
Both teams will now prepare for their next assignments, with Pakistan looking to build on this home success while South Africa will regroup before their next international challenge.