Babar Azam elated after top-order flourishes in South Africa ODI series win

Pakistan skipper Babar Azam was happy to see his top-order do well during the ODI series win against South Africa.

Opener Fakhar Zaman scored 302 runs in three innings with the help of two centuries and was the highest run scorer during the series. Meanwhile, Azam scored 228 runs which included a fifty and hundred. Zaman’s opening partner Imamul Haq notched up 132 runs with the help of two fifties to provide able support at the top of the order.

“It was the responsibility of the top-order to take our innings deep, which we did,” said Azam after the match. “Throughout the series, our batsmen did well, especially Fakhar [Zaman] and Imam[-ul Haq], and we wanted to continue our momentum. We wanted to finish the innings off and I was happy to be there till the end.”

“I’m very confident with the side. I’m very happy with the top order performing in a difficult place like South Africa. It gives us a lot of confidence, and we want to keep this momentum going,” he added.

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During yesterday’s final ODI, Zaman followed up his scintillating 193 on Sunday with 101 as Pakistan posted 320 for seven in their 50 overs having been sent into bat.

South Africa, missing five key players on their way to the Indian Premier League in Quinton de Kock, David Miller, Kagiso Rabada, Anrich Nortje and Lungi Ngidi, were bowled out for 292 in the final over.

The teams now play a four-match Twenty20 International series starting in Johannesburg on Saturday.