Benoni [South Africa], May 23 (ANI): Lizelle Lee registered a career-best 48-ball 75 not out to guide South Africa clinch the five-match T20I series 3-2 against Pakistan at Willowmoore Park on Thursday.

The right-hander smashed 11 boundaries and two sixes as South Africa won the fifth and final decider by nine wickets and 29 balls to spare.

Lee put on exactly 100 runs for the second wicket with Nadine de Klerk (37 not out), a stand that ended unbroken, as she completed her 10th career T20I fifty and third in the series. It completed a fine comeback for the hosts, who had trailed 1-0 and 2-1 earlier in the sequence, before finally taking the lead in the decisive game.

On the final day of what has been a closely-fought series between the teams, the home side won the toss and opted to bowl first, a decision that proved spot on as they restricted Pakistani to just 125/5. All South African bowlers shone, with Shabnim Ismail the pick of the bunch as she bagged 1/16.

South Africa struck regularly, not allowing their opponents to get away as Tumi Sekhukhune (1/19), Moseline Daniels (1/25) De Klerk (1/10) and Sune Luus (1/22) were all amongst the wickets.

Player of the Series, Nida Dar top-scored with 28 and was one of the four players from the Asian side to reach the 20-run mark - the others being captain Bismah Mahroof (23), Aliya Riaz (26 not out) and Javeria Khan (20). But no one kicked on and that ultimately proved detrimental to Pakistan, whose modest total was no match for the home side.

Even though the home side lost Tazmin Brits (9) cheaply, Player of the Match Lee's lifetime best score that surpassed her previous high of 69 unbeaten against England at Johannesburg in 2016, was enough to take South Africa over the line. (ANI)