4th ODI in Abu Dhabi: Deadly Steyn inspires South Africa to series win over Pakistan

South Africa spurred by a maiden ODI century from Quinton de Kock (112) and a career best five for 25 from Dale Steyn beat Pakistan by 28 runs in the fourth match at Sheikh Zayed Cricket Stadium in Abu Dhabi on Friday night.

Chasing a target of 267, Pakistan looked on course at one stage on 228 for five with four overs to go.

But man of the match Steyn rewrote the script with a deadly 47th over in which he took three wickets as Pakistan lost their last five wickets for just 10 runs in 3.1 overs.

"Very happy with the performance, happy to win the series tonight itself. Actually I don't know what I was doing in that over, I was just trying to visualise my field, and AB was talking but all I could hear was just mumbling," said Steyn at the post-match presentation.

South African captain AB de Villiers was proud of his team's performance especially that of 20 year-old Quinton de Kock.

"I wasn't thinking on Sharjah (fifth match), was thinking of one ball at a time and focus on the present and try not to think too far ahead. Having won here two days ago, we had the confidence and having started well, we continued our momentum. If the decider had gone to Sharjah it would have been tight, but its good we wrapped things up here," he said.

"Quinton de Kock is a serious talent for the future in South Africa for the first time I saw him play. I was expecting him to come through in two or three years time but to do it so so early, especially after a tough tour to Sri Lanka where he had some mental and technical issues is great," he added.

South Africa coasted home in the end with five balls to spare to take an unassailable 3-1 lead in the five-match series after bowling out Pakistan for 238.

Pakistan skipper top scored with 65 off 76 balls with four boundaries and a six sharing in a 88-run stand for the fourth wicket with Sohaib Maqsood who smashed a 54-ball 56 on his debut.

Maqsood cracked six boundaries and two sixes but all their efforts went in vain as Steyn wreaked havoc.

"Pakistan were in a good position until the last five overs but that over (Steyn's) changed the game. We had two set batsman and the equation was 30 balls 41 runs which was gettable. But Steyn's over and the over before (Morkel's which went for two runs) put pressure on us," said a disappointed Pakistan captain Misbah u Haq.

"Sohaib Maqsood was really something special on debut, with the confidence and maturity he showed," said Misbah looking positive with one more match to be played in Sharjah on Monday.

Earlier, Pakistan were given a solid start with openers Shehzad (43) and Hafeez (33) posting 74.

Shehzad cracked five boundaries and a six while Hafeez hit four boundaries in his knock.

PAKISTAN INNINGS

South Africa pulled off a 28-run victory in the fourth match against Pakistan in Abu Dhabi to take an unassailable 3-1 lead in the series on Friday.

McLaren yorks last man Junaid Khan as Pakistan are bowled out for 238 in 49.2 overs.

Junaid Khan b McLaren 4 (8b 0x4 0x6)

Steyn finishes with career-best figures of 10-1-25-5. Pak 237-9 in 49 overs.

Pakistan are 235-9 in 48 overs with their fans leaving the ground after Afridi's dismissal.

Faf du Plessis has sounded the final death knell for Pakistan running out Afridi with a direct hit. Pak 232-9 in 47.4 overs need 35 from 14 balls.    

Shahid Afridi run out 3 (5b 0x4 0x6)

Steyn takes three wickets in the 47th to claim career-best figures of five for 23 to put South Africa in the driving seat. Pak 231-8 in 47 overs need 36 from 18 balls with Afridi and Irfan in the middle.    

Saeed Ajmal b Steyn 0 (1b 0x4 0x6)

Steyn claims his fourth wicket with Misbah skying to AB de Villiers. Pak 230-7 in 46.4 overs.

Misbah-ul-Haq c de Villiers b Steyn 65 (76b 4x4 1x6)

Steyn strikes with Akmal carving to third man where Morkel takes a superb catch on the line. Pak 228-6 in 46.1 overs.

Umar Akmal c Morkel b Steyn 22 (23b 2x4 0x6)

Morkel bowls an excellent final over conceding just two singles to finish with figures of 10-0-44-0. Pak 228-5 in 46 overs needing 39 from 24 balls.

Tsotsobe gives aways just four runs in his final over finishing with one for 49. Pak 226-5 in 45 need 41 from 30 balls.

Akmal slices Morkel to backward point for a boundary. Pakistan are 222-5 in 44 overs needing 45 from 36 balls.

Tahir concedes just four singles as Pakistan reach 213-5 in 43 overs requiring 54 from 42 balls.

Umar Akmal gets into his stride with a blistering drive on the off. Pak 209-5 in 42 overs needing 58 from 48 balls.

Pakistan are 201-5 in 41 overs needing 66 from 54 balls.

Pakistan need 72 from 60 balls having got 32 for the loss of two wickets in the Batting Powerplay.

Misbah smashes McLaren to square leg for a boundary and clobbers him for a massive six to reach his 32nd ODI half century in style. Pak 195-5 in 40 overs.

Pinch-hitter Tanvir fails to deliver with Steyn getting him with a short delivery. Pak 180-5 in 38.4 overs.

Sohail Tanvir c Amla b Steyn 1 (5b 0x4 0x6)

Steyn strikes as Maqsood fails to get on top of a full pitched delivery to miscue it to AB de Villiers who takes a catch running back from mid-off. Pak 174-4 in 36.4 overs.

Sohaib Maqsood c de Villiers b Steyn 56 (54b 6x4 2x6)

It also brought to an end a productive 88-run stand for the fourth wicket between Maqsood and Misbah.

Maqsood becomes only the seventh Pakistan batsman to score his maiden ODI half century on his debut.

He reached it in style whipping Morkel to backward square leg and celebrate his landmark by thumping him over extra cover for his six boundary.

His brilliant half century which came off 49 balls also contained two massive sixes.

Maqsood has clubbed Tahir for another massive six over square leg. Pak 163-3 in 35 overs.

Misbah is turning it on now getting a boundary off Duminy with a paddle sweep to fine leg. Pak 150-3 in 33 overs at the drinks break.

Misbah deliberately edges McLaren past the keeper for a boundary as Pakistan begin to change gears. Pak 143-3 in 32 overs.

Tahir returns to the attack but has been thumped back over his head for a massive six by Maqsood. Pak 135-3 in 31 overs.

Maqsood is continuing to play some sparkling shots pulling Morkel to midwicket for another boundary. Pak 126-3 in 30 overs.

Debutant Maqsood is showing positive energy and is calmly negotiating the pace barrage of the South Africans. Pak 117-3 in 28 overs.

Maqsood is growing in confidence lofting Tsotsobe over extra cover with superb timing for a boundary. Pak 110-3 in 26 overs.

Steyn has returned to the attack replacing Tahir who has figures of 3-0-18-1.

Maqsood has smashed Tsotsobe to the midwicket fence to announce his arrival in international cricket. Pak 99-3 in 24 overs.

Misbah walks into the middle with Pakistan in a spot of bother once again. Pak 90-3 in 22 overs.

Pakistan lose two wickets within the space of three deliveries with new man Shafiq popping a catch to Morkel as Tsotsobe returns for a new spell. Pak 85-3 in 21.1 overs.

Asad Shafiq c Morkel b McLaren 1 (2b 0x4 0x6)

Tahir has the last laugh bowling Hafeez through the tiniest of gaps. Pak 85-2 in 20.4 overs.

Mohammad Hafeez b Imran Tahir 33 (60b 4x4 0x6)

Maqsood attacks Tahir going over the top for his first boundary over the long off fielder.

Hafeez gets a streaky boundary off Morkel following an inside edge past the keeper. Pak 80-1 in 20 overs.

A brilliant underarm throw by AB de Villiers brings an end to a superb knock by Shehzad. Pak 74-1 in 18.5 overs.    

Ahmed Shehzad run out 43 (59b 5x4 1x6)

Spinner Tahir has come into the attack and has been whacked for a six by Shehzad. Pak 71-0 in 17 overs as drinks are taken.

Shehzad is continuing his merry cracking a couple of boundaries off McLaren on the offside. Pak 62-0 in 16 overs.

Hafeez gets a much-needed boundary edging Morkel past slip to third man. Pak 47-0 in 13 overs.

Shehzad has pulled Morkel majestically through mid-on for another boundary. Pak 38-0 in 11 overs.

Shehzad gives Tsotsobe the charge and smashes him back over his head for a boundary and survives being run out after being halfway down the middle. Pak 31-0 in 10 overs.

Shehzad slams Tsotsobe through point for his third boundary. Pak 26-0 in 8 overs.

Hafeez gets his first boundary flicking Steyn to backward square leg. Pak 19-0 in 7 overs.

Shehzad punches Tsotsobe straight down the ground for the first boundary of the innings. Pak 15-0 in 6 overs.

Steyn opens with a maiden over to Shehzad which is the first of the match as Pakistan begin their run-chase.

A maiden ODI century by Quinton de Kock (112) of 135 balls with nine boundaries and a six helped South Africa make 266-5 in 50 overs after opting to bat first in the fourth one-day against Pakistan.

The left-hander who was dropped on two by Hafeez at slip made Pakistan pay for it with a solid knock playing both pace and spin with ease unleashing some handsome shots square of the wicket.

South Africa were given a sound start with Amla stroking a fluent 46 off 50 balls with six boundaries as the openers posted 87 in 18 overs.

Quinton shared in a 69-run partnership for the third wicket with AB de Villiers (30) before Pakistan pegged South Africa back claiming three wickets for 16 runs in 3.2 overs as they slumped to 214-5 by the 44th over.

An unfinished 52-run stand for the sixth wicket between Duminy (25) and McLaren (28) helped South Africa past the 260-mark which they successfully defended on Wednesday.

Junaid and Hafeez claimed two wickets apiece while Ajmal went wicketless for 53 for the first time in 11 ODIs being hit for a couple of sixes in the penultimate over of the innings.

SOUTH AFRICA INNINGS

McLaren drills Tanvir through extra cover to bring up the 50 partnership for unfinished sixth wicket with Duminy off  38 balls as South Africa reach 266-5 in 50 overs.

Ajmal goes for 15 in his final over with Duminy and McLaren hammering a six each. SA 255-5 in 49 overs.

Pakistan have clawed their way back with South Africa losing three wickets for 16 runs in 3.2 overs. SA 221-5 in 45 overs.

Hafeez traps Miller leg with South Africa being unsuccessful in overturning the verdict. SA 214-5 in 43.4 overs.    

Daivd Miller lbw b Mohammad Hafeez 5 (10b 0x4 0x6)

Quinton's superb knock comes to an end with Misbah taking a good low catch at midoff as the left-hander is deceived by a slower delivery from Junaid.SA 210-4 in 42.3 overs.   

Quinton de Kock c Misbah-ul-Haq b Junaid Khan 112 (135b 9x4 1x6)

Junaid Khan strikes with AB de Villiers miscuing to Hafeez at midwicket. SA 198-3 in 40.2 overs.    

AB de Villiers c Mohammad Hafeez b Junaid Khan 30 (40b 2x4 0x6)

AB de Villiers and Quinton add 35 runs in the Batting Powerplay.

Quinton de Kock reaches his maiden ODI century in style slamming Irfan for his first six over long on. It also contaiined eight boundaries. SA 193-2 in 39 overs.

Quinton continues to dominate the Pakistan attack being especially strong square of the wicket finding the gap again for another boundary on the off. SA 155-2 in 33 overs.

Irfan strikes as Faf du Plessis lofts him straight to Ajmal at long off. SA 129-2 in 26.5 overs.    

Faf du Plessis c Saeed Ajmal b Mohammad Irfan 10 (23b 1x4 0x6

Irfan returns to the attack and is despatched to square leg by Quinton.

Faf du Plessis hits his first boundary lofting Ajmal over extra cover. SA 124-1 in 26 overs.

Quinton de Kock completes his maident ODI half century off 68 balls with five boundaries. SA 104-1 in 22 overs.

Quinton hits against the spin off Hafeez to midwicket and bring up the 100 of the innings. SA 102-1 in 21 overs.

Faf du Plessis survives a confident leg before off Afridi with Pakistan being unsuccessful with the decsion review. SA 94-1 in 20 overs.

Hafeez finally gets a breakthrough with Amla playing inside the wrong line to be castled. SA 87-1 in 18.1 overs.

Hashim Amla b Mohammad Hafeez 46 (50b 6x4 0x6)

Quinton caresses Afridi through extra cover for a boundary. SA 80-0 in 16 overs.

Afridi replaces Ajmal but goes for eight in his first over. SA 71-0 in 14 overs.

Quinton has smashed Junaid with a majestic strike for a boundary to mid-on. SA 63-0 in 13 overs.

Amla punches Ajmal through the covers with a delightful shot. SA 56-0 in 12 overs.

Spin introduced in the 10th with Ajmal coming into the attack and concededs just a single as South Africa reach 45-0.

Quinton gets cracking finding the gap square on the offside for a boundary off Junaid. SA 44-0 in 9 overs.

Quinton breaks the shackles cracking Tanvir through the offside field for a boundary. SA 37-0 in 8 overs.

Amla is on song cracking consecutive boundaries off Irfan flicking to backward square leg and crunching through point. SA 29-0 in 5 overs.

Hafeez at slip drops Quinton who slashes at Tanvir with Amla slamming him through the covers for a boundary. SA 19-0 in 4 overs.

Amla drives Irfan through the covers for another boundary timing it beautifully. SA 11-0 in 3 overs.

Amla hits the first boundary of the match clipping Irfan off his pads. Irfan 5-0 in 1 over.

Quinton to face upto Irfan as the match gets underway.

South Africa have won the toss once again and decided to bat first against Pakistan as they look to wrap up the series in the 4th one-day international at Sheikh Zayed Cricket Stadium on Friday.

South Africa are unchanged while Pakistan have made two.

Pakistan have left out Wahab Riaz in favour of Junaid Khan. Sohaib Maqsood makes his debut coming in for Umar Amin.

PLAYING XI

Pakistan: Ahmed Shehzad, Mohammad Hafeez, Sohaib Maqsood, Asad Shafiq, Misbah-ul-Haq, Umar Akmal, Shahid Afridi, Sohail Tanvir, Saeed Ajmal, Mohammad Irfan, Junaid Khan

South Africa: Hashim Amla, Quinton de Kock, Jean-Paul Duminy, AB de Villiers, Faf du Plessis, David Miller, Ryan McLaren, Dale Steyn, Monre Morkel, Lonwabe Tsotsobe, Imran Tahir

PREVIEW

Pakistan captain Misbah-ul-Haq called on his top order to play their part to prevent South Africa clinching the one-day series after the fourth match on Friday.

Pakistan trail 2-1 after South Africa secured a commanding 68-run win in the third match in Abu Dhabi on Wednesday.

Chasing a challenging 260-run target, Pakistan were dismissed for 191 with leg-spinner Imran Tahir taking 4/53.

Pakistan's top order flopped again and only a 61-run partnership for the eighth wicket between Wahab Riaz (33) and Sohail Tanvir (31) gave the total some respectability.

The batsmen failed to chase 184 during their one-run defeat in the first match in Sharjah and struggled to put 209 on the board in their 66-run victory in the second fixture in Dubai.

"It's the same old story. I think we need to think about our batting if we want to save the series," said Misbah after Wednesday's match.

"Our batsmen get starts but are not able to convert them into big scores, and we all have to think that 20s and 30s are not going to win matches for us."

Pakistan have played six one-day series against South Africa but never won one.

Misbah said he could not explain the consistent batting failures. "I think we got a good start and then there was no excuse, we should have won the match," he said of the 50-run start by Ahmed Shehzad (32) and Mohammad Hafeez (15).

Pakistan then lost five wickets in the space of 31 runs, slumping to 116-7 from 86-2.

"I don't have an answer and as professionals when we get set we must take it further," said Misbah.

He praised Tahir, who conceded 18 runs in his first two overs but went on to dismiss Misbah, Umar Akmal (seven) and Asad Shafiq (11).

"When wickets were falling it was good for him and he kept attacking and he gives them an attacking option," said Misbah of Tahir, who was born and brought up in Pakistan before emigrating to South Africa.

South Africa's captain was also full of praise for the leg-spinner. "Imran is a world-class bowler," said AB De Villiers. "For me, the main thing is that he brings a lot of intensity to the whole unit and obviously he also has a hell of a lot of skill in all the formats that he plays in."

Tahir took eight wickets in the second Test to help South Africa level the preceding two-match series 1-1.

"He brought that intensity into the team tonight and the whole team was lifted, and it's great to have him back in the green and gold again," said De Villiers.

He praised the team effort, especially the half-centuries from Faf du Plessis and Jean-Paul Duminy.

"I thought we did the basics well, still we could have got to 280, but still all in all the batsmen did well, and that's what we were talking about leading up to the match and a few guys put up their hands including Faf," he said.

"I am very happy for him under pressure and that tells a lot about his character and also JP."

Friday's game is in Abu Dhabi and the fifth and final match takes place in Sharjah on Monday, before two Twenty20s in Dubai on November 13 and 15.

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