Pakistan will aim for a clean sweep against South Africa as they prepare for the third and final One Day International (ODI) of the series, held at Wanderers Stadium, Johannesburg, on December 22, 2024. After securing victories in the first two ODIs, Pakistan looks to finish strong, building on their current momentum.
The previous match saw Pakistan convincingly defeat South Africa by 81 runs. Key contributions came from captain Mohammad Rizwan, who scored 80 runs, and Babar Azam, adding 73 runs to the scoreboard. Their partnership laid the groundwork for Pakistan's total of 329 runs. South Africa, led by Heinrich Klaasen who scored a near century with 97, managed to only muster 248 runs before being bowled out.
Pakistan's victory was bolstered by impressive performances from their fast bowlers, with Shaheen Afridi claiming four wickets for 47 runs and Naseem Shah taking three for 37. This win not only marked Pakistan's 2-0 lead but also secured their fifth consecutive series victory, showcasing their dominance on this tour.
The series has been significant for Pakistan, particularly as these games form part of their preparation for upcoming international engagements. Coach Mickey Arthur expressed his satisfaction with the team’s performance, emphasizing the importance of maintaining form and confidence going forward.
The third ODI will commence at 17:30 IST, with a toss scheduled for 17:00 IST. Fans can catch the action live on Sports18 or via streaming on the JioCinema app and website. The match is expected to be highly competitive, as South Africa seeks to salvage pride by avoiding a series whitewash.
Both teams have shown flashes of brilliance, but Pakistan’s consistency and depth have proven challenging for South Africa. The home side will look to improve and build on their previous performances, particularly hoping for stronger showings from their bowling attack, which has struggled against the Pakistani batsmen so far.
Pakistan's batting depth has been one of their key strengths, with multiple players capable of changing the game. The presence of explosive batsmen increases the pressure on South African bowlers, who will need to find ways to disrupt their rhythm.
With everything to play for, the upcoming match is poised to be thrilling. Historical matchups between these two teams add to the anticipation, with fans eager to see if South Africa can turn things around or if Pakistan will continue their run of victories.
No matter the outcome, both teams will take valuable lessons from this series as they prepare for future competitions. The series has provided significant insights, particularly for South Africa, as they look to regroup and reassess their strategies.
