South African bowler Ryan McLaren (R) successful appealed for leg before wicket LBW of Pakistani cricketer Shahid Afridi (L) during the third day-night international in Sheikh Zayed Cricket Stadium in Abu Dhabi on Novemver 6, 2013. South Africa produced a clincal performance to beat Pakistan by 68 runs in the third day-night international and take a 2-1 lead in the five-match series. PHOTO: AFP
South Africa now lead the five match series 2-1.
Pakistan, who were chasing South Africa's challenging total of 260 runs, were holding their own at 50 for no loss in the eighth over. But as openers Ahmed Shehzad (32) and Mohammad Hafeez (15) were dismissed in quick succession, the rest of Pakistan's batting column just could not find its feet and the side soon found themselves in trouble at 116 for seven.
It was odd then that bowling partners Wahab Riaz and Sohail Tanveer managed to stem the collapse and put on 61 runs for the eighth wicket. Riaz was Pakistan highest scorer of the match as he scored 33 runs off 47 balls. Tanveer also made 31 runs.
Imran Tahir was the pick of the bowlers for South Africa as he once again tormented the Pakistani batting lineup with four wickets in his 10 overs, while Ryan McLaren and Morne Morkel picked up two wickets each.
With Pakistan terming the third One Day International against South Africa crucial for the five match series, they were set a 260 run target, by the Proteas, thanks to a resolute half centuries from Jean-Paul Duminy and Faf du Plessis.
Duminy scored 64 and added an invaluable 70 for the fourth wicket with AB de Villiers (34) to turn South Africa's good start to a challenging total after they won the toss and decided to bat.
The 29-year-old left-hander hit three boundaraies off 89 balls and gave the innings the much needed impetus with a 66-run fifth wicket stand with David Miller (34), adding 65 in the last ten overs.
Du Plessis had steadied the innings during his 60-ball knock, adding 77 for the second wicket with Quinton de Kock who made 40 from 57 balls.
Muhammad Irfan was the pick of Pakistan's bowlers, picking up three wickets, though he conceded 46 runs off his 10 allotted overs. Saeed Ajmal and Shahid Afridi both picked up two wickets each and ended up with very similar looking figures.
Earlier, South Africa won the toss of the third One Day International (ODI) against Pakistan in Abu Dhabi and chose to bat, Express News reported on Wednesday.
Pakistani captain Misbahul Haq had earlier remarked that this third match is crucial for both sides.
“I think this will be a tough match in a tough series and whoever wins this will have an edge in the remaining matches,” Misbah had said.
The teams
The Pakistani team includes: Ahmed Shehzad, Mohammad Hafeez, Asad Shafiq, Misbah-ul-Haq, Umar Amin, Umar Akmal, Shahid Afridi, Sohail Tanvir, Wahab Riaz, Saeed Ajmal and Mohammad Irfan.
Asad Shaif was brought in place of Nasir Jamshed for the third ODI.
The South African team includes: HM Amla, Q de Kock, JP Duminy, AB de Villiers, F du Plessis, DA Miller, R McLaren, DW Steyn, M Morkel, LL Tsotsobe, Imran Tahir
Graeme Smith, who had sustained a head injury, was replaced by Quinton de Kock while DW Steyn replaced Wayne Parnell.
The series currently stands at 1-1. South Africa won the first ODI while Pakistan won the second one.
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