Vernon Philander led a strong performance by South Africa’s bowlers to set up a four-wicket consolation win for the hosts in the third and final one-day international against Pakistan at SuperSport Park on Saturday.
Philander took 3-26 in a Pakistan total of 179 all out. South Africa made heavy weather of the chase, but won with 68 deliveries to spare, steered home by an unbeaten 48 from captain AB de Villiers.
Pakistan’s Misbah-ul-Haq also played a captain’s innings, making 79 not out. No other Pakistan batsman scored more than 25.
Photo: Reuters
Philander, recently recalled to the one-day side after starring for the South Africa Test team, struck with the fourth delivery of the match when Ahmed Shehzad was caught at first slip without scoring. Shehzad made a century when Pakistan clinched the series by winning the second match in Port Elizabeth on Wednesday.
Fellow new ball bowler Lonwabo Tsotsobe had Asad Shafiq caught behind in the fourth over, and Pakistan were unable to build any significant partnerships against hostile bowling on a pitch which offered good bounce.
The best stand of the innings was 51 for the eighth wicket between Misbah and Abdur Rehman (22).
South Africa made a fast start, with Quinton de Kock and Hashim Amla putting on 39 in 35 deliveries for the first wicket before De Kock mistimed a hook against Bilawal Bhatti and was caught at backward square leg.
The momentum slowed as new cap Henry Davids was tied down by Saeed Ajmal before being stumped off the off-spinner after struggling to seven off 18 deliveries. Davids was a late replacement for Graeme Smith, who was absent because of a family bereavement.
Amla made 41 before being run out after a superb stop and quick throw by Umar Amin at backward point.
In contrast to his dazzling 74 off 45 deliveries in Port Elizabeth, where he played one big shot too many and was out before South Africa “crossed the line,” in his words, De Villiers played a risk-free innings to ensure that South Africa successfully chased down a target for the first time in eight recent attempts, facing 63 deliveries and hitting only three boundaries.
Ajmal was again the best Pakistan bowler, taking 2-34 in 10 overs.
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