Defeat avenged: South Africa beat Pakistan in third ODI

ABU DHABI: South Africa produced a clinical performance to beat Pakistan by 68 runs in the third day-night international in Dubai on Wednesday and take a 2-1 lead in the five-match series. South Africa, who won the toss and chose to bat first, posted a challenging total of 259-8 with JP Duminy scoring 64 and Faf du Plessis returning to form with 55 before bowling out Pakistan for 191 in 44.3 overs. Leg-spinner Imran Tahir took 4-53. For Pakistan Wahab Riaz top-scored with 33 while Ahmed Shehzad made 32. South Africa won the first match by one run in Sharjah while Pakistan won the second in Dubai by 66 runs. The remaining matches will be played in Abu Dhabi on Friday and Sharjah on Monday.

Published in The Express Tribune, November 7^th, 2013.