South Africa restrict Pakistan to 205

South Africa restrict Pakistan to 205
Updated on

Summary South Africa need a modest 206 to win the one-day series against Pakistan.

 

JOHANNESBURG (AP) - The Proteas bowled the Pakistanis out for 205 with five balls remaining in the decisive fifth and final game at Willowmoore Park, led by 3-32 from allrounder Ryan McLaren.


McLaren s three-wicket burst dismissed Pakistan s middle order, but all of South Africa s six bowlers were wicket-takers after Pakistan had opted to bat first at the rarely used ground in Benoni, on the eastern outskirts of Johannesburg.


Morne Morkel took 2-33 on his return from injury to help push South Africa into a winning position at the end of the seesaw series, which was level at 2-2 before the final game.


Kamran Akmal made 48 for the tourists, but none of Pakistan s batsmen went on to a big score after Akmal, Younis Khan (29), Misbah-ul-Haq (24) and Shoaib Malik (28) all made strong starts.


Akmal and Younis Khan put together a half-century partnership and Malik and Misbah combined for a 47-run stand, but the South Africans broke both before any real damage was done to limit the tourists to a manageable total.


McLaren removed Malik, Shahid Afridi for a duck and then had Misbah caught behind all in the space of 10 runs and four overs to reduce Pakistan to 161-7.


Junaid Khan made 25 down the order but was the last man out off the first ball of the final over and one of Morkel s two wickets as the Pakistanis only just passed 200.


The decider was just the 19th ODI played at Willowmoore Park, where South Africa was aiming to avoid a second successive ODI series defeat at home.


Pakistan beat India in India in its last contest, and kept alive this series after twice coming from behind to draw level.

 

Browse Topics