Olivier helps SA blank Pakistan 3-0

Johannesburg, January 14 

Fiery fast bowler Duanne Olivier took key early wickets as South Africa wrapped up a clean sweep of their series against Pakistan with victory by 107 runs on the fourth day of the third and final Test.

Pakistan resumed their second innings needing a further 228 for victory with seven wickets in hand, but their chances faded when Olivier removed the dangerous Babar Azam (21) and captain Sarfraz Ahmed (0) in consecutive balls. The home side chipped away at the wickets to bowl the visitors out for 273, with Olivier (3/74) and Kagiso Rabada (3/75) the pick of a hostile South African attack that has been key to the team’s success.

Olivier was asked to open the bowling on the fourth morning and took his wicket tally in the series to 24 with two quick scalps. The pace and bounce proved too much for Azam, who could only fend a vicious delivery to wicket-keeper Quinton de Kock. Pakistan’s in-form captain Sarfraz was bowled the very next ball, a double-strike that appeared to take the fight out of the visitors. Faheem Ashraf (15) and Mohammad Amir (4) both steered Rabada deliveries to Aiden Markram at gully, while Hasan Ali (22) became the latter’s third victim when he was caught and bowled. Shadab Khan (47*) was impressive as he took the attack to the South Africans with some excellent stroke-play, but was denied a fourth Test half-century when No.11 Mohammad Abbas (9) was run-out trying to pinch a quick single. — Reuters

Brief Scores: South Africa: 262 and 303; Pakistan: 185 and 273 (Shafiq 65; Olivier 3/74, Rabada 3/75)

Pakistan’s last four series in South Africa 

• 2009-10: Lost 3-0 
• 2012-13: Lost 3-0 
• 2016-17: Lost 3-0 
• 2018-19: Lost 3-0