South Africa raced to a crushing 10-wicket win over Pakistan in the fourth one-day international at Newlands on Sunday after what captain Graeme Smith described as one of the team's best bowling performances.
South Africa's pace bowlers took advantage of overcast weather and a helpful pitch as they bundled out Pakistan for 107.
Then Smith and AB de Villiers hammered a demoralized Pakistan bowling attack to take their side to victory in only 14 overs, with Smith finishing the match by smashing Abdul Razzaq for six.
PHOTO: AFP
The win gave South Africa a 2-1 lead in the five-match series.
Smith said the bowlers had shown their worth following a disappointing performance in the second match in Durban when Pakistan scored 351 for four.
"It was one of the best bowling performances I've seen from the team," said Smith. "The bowling unit took a bit of flak after Durban. They have been a superb bowling unit for a few years now and today they were fantastic. I don't think the ball did much after eight overs but the pressure we built on them and the way we fielded was fantastic."
Smith said there was no deliberate attempt to score the necessary runs at a breakneck pace.
"Once AB and I got the momentum going it was just a matter of trying to score an emphatic win," he said.
Captain Inzamam-ul-Haq was the only batsman able to play a substantial innings for Pakistan, making 45 not out.
Inzamam said it had been a disappointing batting performance.
"On this track 230 or 240 would have been a good total," he said.
South Africa's bowlers shared the wickets, although Shaun Pollock was outstanding, taking two for 13 in ten overs.
Wicketkeeper Mark Boucher equaled the record for dismissals in a one-day international, taking six catches.
Smith's decision to send Pakistan in on an overcast day paid off as the visiting batsmen struggled on a pitch which offered movement through the air and off the pitch. Rain had fallen during the two days before the match.
Pollock set the tone with a superb opening spell in which he took two for eight in eight overs.
Pollock had Imran Nazir caught behind for nought off the fourth ball of the innings when Nazir got an inside edge to a ball which cut back sharply. Pollock did not concede a run until he bowled a wide in his fourth over.
South Africa's reply was in complete contrast to the Pakistan innings.
De Villiers and Smith both went on the attack, raising 50 off 51 balls and then accelerating as they took their side to the target off only 84 deliveries.
De Villiers made 50 not out off 44 balls with seven fours and a six, while Smith made an unbeaten 56 off 40 balls with six fours and two sixes.
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