South Africa beat Pakistan by seven wickets in the deciding one-day international at Newlands to take the series 3-2.

Batting first, Pakistan looked set for a more competitive total with Fakhar Zaman at the crease but when he departed for 70 the wheels came off.

Andile Phehlukwayo, Dwaine Pretorius and Wiaan Mulder tore through the middle order with only Imad Wasim, who finished unbeaten on 47, offering any resistance in Pakistan’s total of 240-8.

In response Quinton de Kock smashed 83 off 58 balls while Faf du Plessis and Rassie van der Dussen both ended 50 not out as South Africa romped home with 10 overs remaining.

“Quinny made it easy for the rest of the batters,” South African captain Du Plessis was quoted as saying by AFP.

“Our best performance came tonight in a crunch game,” he added. “The bowling was excellent and the fielding was really good. And when Quinny plays like he did tonight he’s extremely difficult to bowl to.”

Pakistan stand-in captain Shoaib Malik said the top order needs to fire in unison to succeed in ODIs.

“Our top three batters got starts and we wanted them to capitalise,” Malik said. “White-ball cricket is all about the first three batters.”

Malik also congratulated opening batsman Imam-ul-Haq, who was named man of the series after scoring 271 runs at an average of 54.20 in five innings. “He is improving day by day,” added Malik.