Opting to bat first at the Iqbal Stadium, the Proteas struggled to build momentum and were bundled out for just 143 runs in 37.5 overs.

Big-hitting wicketkeeper Quinton de Kock continued his fine run of form, top-scoring with 53 off 70 deliveries, while 19-year-old Lhuan-Dré Pretorius, born in Potchefstroom, showed plenty of promise with a fluent 39 off 45. They were the only two batters to put up real resistance.

Quinton de Kock. Photo: Cricinfo

Captain Matthew Breetzke and Nqabayomzi Peter chipped in with 16 apiece, but Pakistan’s bowlers were relentless – conceding only three extras in the entire innings.

Abrar Ahmed was the chief destroyer, claiming 4/27 from his ten overs, while skipper Shaheen Shah Afridi took 2/18 in 4.5 overs, Salman Agha took 2/18 in 4, and Mohammad Nawaz also bagged two scalps.

Chasing a modest 144 for victory, Pakistan made light work of the target. Saim Ayub was in scintillating touch, smashing 70 off 77 balls, while wicketkeeper Mohammad Rizwan anchored the chase with an unbeaten 32 off 45 as the hosts sealed the win in just 25.1 overs.

Lhuan-Dré Pretorius. Photo: Cricinfo

For South Africa, Nandré Burger and Bjorn Fortuin each picked up a wicket.

Following the defeat, captain Breetzke admitted his side fell well short with the bat. “Not enough runs – we were probably looking at around 250. 

“The conditions were tricky and we lost too many wickets upfront. It wasn’t easy, and Abrar bowled beautifully.

“Unluckily, I got out in his last over. I was trying to be more positive after that, but the bounce was quite variable. Still, it’s massive for us to experience these conditions. There are plenty of learnings to take – and some real positives too.”

Abrar Ahmed. Photo: Cricinfo

“Lhuan-Dré has been special, and Nandré’s aggression in the powerplay has been great to see. It’s encouraging to know what we’ve got in the tank,” he said.

There was at least a silver lining for the Proteas, with De Kock being named Player of the Series on his return to international cricket after more than a year out. He scored 239 runs across the three ODIs.

The Proteas will now shift their focus to the upcoming tour of India, which begins on 14 November with the first Test at the iconic Eden Gardens in Kolkata – the same venue where South Africa played their first-ever ODI on 10 November 1991, marking their return to international cricket after isolation. 

On that day, Free State legend Allan Donald was named Man of the Match for his superb 5/29.

OFM Sport/Morgan Piek dg