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ISLAMABAD: Pakistan will lock horns with South Africa in their third and last One-Day International of a three match-series in Faisalabad today, Saturday.

On Thursday, Quinton de Kock hit a brilliant century and Nandre Burger grabbed four wickets as South Africa thumped Pakistan by eight wickets in their second one-day international on Thursday.

Playing his second ODI after reversing his 2023 decision to retire from the format, the dashing De Kock smashed an unbeaten 123 to anchor a 270-run chase with 9.5 overs in spare at Iqbal Stadium in Faisalabad.

South African victory levelled the three-match series at 1-1 after Pakistan won the first match by two wickets. The third and final match on Saturday will start at 3pm Pakistan time.

“I set myself high goals so I am happy to bat well today,” De Kock after the second ODI this week. “I think Nandre set us well with early wickets and then we batted well to chase that down.”

From 22-3, however, the hosts rebuilt the innings and half-centuries from opener Saim Ayub and Salman Agha, who added 92 for the fourth wicket, and later from Mohammad Nawaz helped them to a fighting total.

Ayub hit 53 off 66 balls with a six and five fours, while Agha made a more docile 69 from 106 deliveries with five boundaries as the pair revived the innings.

South African fast bowler Burger registered his best ODI figures of 4-46 to keep the home team down to 269-9. The 30-year-old ripped out Pakistan’s first three wickets in his opening three overs after the hosts won the toss and batted.