South Africa v Pakistan 5th ODI: SA win series 3-2

South Africa made 208 for four in 44 overs to beat Pakistan by six wickets in the fifth and final one-day international against South Africa in Benoni on Sunday.

Skipper AB de Villiers smashed a couple of boundaries, including the winning hit, off Wahab Riaz in the 44th over as South Africa coasted home with six overs to spare to win the series 3-2.

Chasing a target of 206, South Africa were in trouble at 83 for three by the 23rd over when Amla fell after a 49-run.

AB de Villiers took charge thereafter, profiting from a let off by Younis Khan at slip when he was, to remain unbeaten on 95 off 111 balls cracking nine boundaries and a six.

He received wonderful support from Farhaan Behardien (35) during a 87-run stand for the fourth wicket to frustrate Pakistan.

David Millers smashed a six and a boundary in his unbeaten 20 as South Africa raced to victory.

Irfan was the pick of the bowlers claiming two for 38 while Junaid Khan and Hafeez picked up a wicket apiece.

"It was a great team effort. It a great series and well-played by Pakistan team too. It is always easy turning back to Dale, but the whole bowling unit got better and better. Ryan is one of those guys, he just makes it happen, he got Misbah and Afridi in one over and that was a big game changer," said South Africa captain AB de Villiers.

"I am in good form at the moment, but I am not probably timing it as well as I like to," added AB who won both Man of the Match and the Man of the Series awards.

Pakistan skipper Misbah ul Haq said: "I think it was a 250 pitch and it was gettable the way we started, but we lost wickets at crucial times and chose wrong shots, but South Africa played really well. We could have really enjoyed had we won this one, but still a good series."

De Villiers, who was dropped on one, overcame some hostile bowling on an unpredictable pitch as South Africa chased down Pakistan's 204 all out with six overs to spare.

On a day when most batsmen struggled to time the ball consistently, De Villiers made his runs off just 111 balls. He hit nine fours and a six.

A fourth wicket partnership of 87 off 88 balls with Farhaan Behardien (35) made South Africa's victory virtually certain after Pakistan's new ball bowlers, Mohammad Irfan and Junaid Khan, caused early problems on a pitch where some deliveries bounced alarmingly, while others kept low.

Pakistan seemed headed for a more competitive total when they reached 151 for four in the 35th over after winning the toss.

Ryan McLaren took three wickets in 13 balls to spark a Pakistan collapse at Willowmoore Park after the tourists opted to bat first.

Pakistan struggled to 205 all out after being reasonably placed at 151 for four in the 35th over handing the initiative to the hosts in the winner takes all match.

McLaren had Shoaib Malik caught at midwicket and three balls later, with the last delivery before the batting power play, he had big-hitting Shahid Afridi caught at deep square leg without scoring.

Pakistan's hopes then rested with their captain, Misbah-ul-Haq, who had played a match-winning innings of 80 when Pakistan squared the series at 2-2 with a three-wicket win in Durban on Thursday.

As he had in Durban, Misbah started cautiously and he had scored only 24 runs off 46 balls when he was caught behind to become McLaren's third victim.

McLaren finished with three for 32, with all his wickets coming in a three-over third spell which cost only five runs.

For the first time this season, South Africa fielded their two leading strike bowlers, Dale Steyn and Morne Morkel, in their one-day international team.

The pair had been rotated during a series against New Zealand and Morkel missed the first four matches against Pakistan because of a hamstring injury.

Although Steyn and Morkel only took one and two wickets respectively, they contributed to a much-improved South African bowling performance.

Despite an innings of 48 off 51 balls by Kamran Akmal, and a third wicket stand of 66 between Akmal and Younis Khan (29) the Pakistanis were unable to dominate the bowling at any stage during their innings after Misbah won the toss and decided to bat.

South Africa were without opening batsman and Test captain Graeme Smith because of what was described as a chronic left ankle injury which kept him off the field for most of Pakistan's run chase in Durban.

He was replaced by 20-year-old left-hander Quinton de Kock.

SOUTH AFRICA INNINGS

Miller has smashed Hafeez for a huge six over midwicket in the 43rd over and steers him through the covers for another boundary as South Africa canter to a series victory.

Ajmal has bowled a maiden to AB de Villiers in the 42nd over with South Africa needing 24 off 48 balls.

South Africa are 194-4 after 43 overs after Pakistan opting to bat first were bowled out for 205 in 49.1 in the fifth and final one-day international against South Africa in Benoni on Sunday.

Farhaan Behardien c Saeed Ajmal b Mohammad Irfan 35

Behardien is caught at fine leg off Irfan in the 37th over after making 35 off 36 balls with three boundaries having added 87 runs in 14.2 overs with AB de Villiers for the fourth wicket.

AB de Villiers has edged Irfan with the ball racing to the third man boundary.

AB de Villiers has steered Irfan to third man for another boundary as he marks 1,000 ODI as captain in 19 matches.

It is successfully overturned with replays showing Behardien had got a glove to it.

South African have gone for a decision referral after Behardien was adjudged leg before off Ajmal in the 36th over.

The batting Powerplay has been taken with South Africa 156-3 after 35 overs.

Hafeez is back into the attack but AB de Villiers greets him smashing him over midwicket.

Behardien survives a confident leg before appeal off Afridi as South Africa need 62 from 102 balls.

South Africa need 64 from 108 balls with Pakistan faint hopes of a rare series triumph keep slipping away.

AB de Villiers has smashed Riaz with an incredible slap to square leg.

South Africa need 74 from 120 balls with the 50 partnership for the fourth wicket between AB de Villiers and Behardien coming in just 46 balls.

Behardien chips Riaz over extra cover as South Africa cruise with South Africa needing 79 from 126 balls.

AB de Villiers completes his 32nd ODI fifty and eighth against Pakistan with a single off Afridi in the 26th over.

It came off just 53 balls and contained four boundaries and a six.

South Africa have hit back to back boundaries with Behardien punching Irfan through through covers for his first while AB de Villers drives Afridi through point.

AB de Villiers has smashed Afridi for a huge six over long on.

Pakistan have made a crucial breakthrough and are bowling with their tails up.

Irfan strikes as Amla miscues a pull shot which goes miles in the air before being pouched safely by Malik.

Hashim Amla c Shoaib Malik b Mohammad Irfan 22

Amla consumed 65 balls to make 22 with two boundaries adding 49 runs for the third wickets with AB de Villiers.
 
AB de Villiers has jabbed one past the vacant slip off Riaz for a boundary followed by a reverse sweep to third man off Ajmal as South Africa keep abreast of the asking rate.

AB de Villiers has slammed Junaid Khan for his boundary with a scorching drive through extra cover.

Younis Khan at slip has dropped AB de Villiers (1) off Junaid Khan with South Africa on 35-2.
 
Hafeez strikes in his first over rattling the stumps of Ingram in the 11th over.

Colin Ingram b Mohammad Hafeez 15

The dangerous Ingram was looking to clear the infield but missed the line complete to depart for 15 off 20 balls having hit two boundaries.

Ingram has smashed two boundaries in the ninth over of the innings Irfan as South Africa step up the tempo.

Ingram has got his first boundary with a straight drive off Irfan in the eighth over.

Amla caresses Irfan through extra cover for his second boundary in the seventh over.

Junaid strikes in the sixth over knocking back the stumps of Quinton de Kock.

Quinton de Kock b Junaid Khan 3

De Kock faced 12 balls scoring three chopping the ball onto his stumps.

Amla hits the first boundary of the South African innings in the fourth over driving Junaid Khan through the covers.

Pakistan are unsuccessful with a decision review after their leg before appeal against Amla off Junaid Khan was turned down with replays showing ball pitched outside leg stump.

PAKISTAN INNINGS

Pakistan are all out for 205 in 49.1 overs opting to bat first in the fifth and final one-day international against South Africa in Benoni on Sunday.

Junaid Khan was the last man out being castled by Morkel who claimed his second wicket.

Junaid Khan b Morkel 26

Khan made 26 off 29 balls with two boundaries and a six.

Kamran Akmal top scored with 48 but the rest failed to capitalise on good starts as Pakistan lost wickets at regular intervals.

The most productive stand was for the third wicket of 66 between Kamran and Misbah (24) who added 47 runs with Shoaib Malik (28) for the fifth wicket.

Malik's departure triggered a collapse as Pakistan lost four wickets for 11 runs in sevens over to slump from 151-3 to 162-8.

Junaid Khan held the tail together to see Pakistan past to 200-run mark.

Ryan McLaren was the chief destroyer removing Malik and Afridi within the space of four deliveries to finish with three for 32.

Morkel claimed two for 33 at the end while Steyn, Tsotsobe. Peterson and Behardien claimed a wicket apiece.

Junaid Khan slams Peterson for a straight six in the 47th over.

Wahab Riaz run out 11

Riaz faced 28 balls before scrambling back after being sent back by Junaid but fails to beat the throw with Peterson having time to uproot the stump after having stepped on the wicket.

Junaid Khan smashes Morkel down the ground for his second boundary in the 42nd over.

Morkel strikes dismissing Ajmal who is bowled off an inside edge after facing five balls.

Saeed Ajmal b Morkel 1

McLaren strikes for the third time deceiving Misbah with a slower delivery which he edges for AB de Villiers to take an easy catch.

Misbah-ul-Haq c AB de Villiers b McLaren 24

Misbah made 24 off 46 balls with two boundaries.

McLaren has struck twice within the space of four balls in the 35th over dismissing Shoaib Malik (28) and Afridi for a duck.

Shahid Afridi c Ingram b McLaren 0

Afridi lasted just three balls holing to Ingram at midwicket.

Shoaib Malik c Behardien b McLaren 28

Malik chips straight to Behardien at midwicket.

Malik made 28 off 31 balls with one boundary and a six.

Misbah ul Haq has cut Steyn past backward point for his first boundary in the 33rd over.

Malik is on fire hitting a six of Peterson blasting him over midwicket from outside off into the stands in the 30th over.

Shoaib Malik has flicked McLaren to square leg for his first boundary in the 29th over.

Behardien strikes in his first over as Younis Khan fails to clear Amla who takes brilliant catch leaping at mid wicket.

Younis Khan c Amla b Behardien 29

Younis made 29 off 58 balls with two boundaries.

Younis edges Tsotsobe over the keeper for a boundary to bring up the 100 of the Pakistan innings in the 25th over.

Ryan McLaren takes a brilliant catch at backward short leg off Peterson to dismiss Kamran.

Kamran Akmal c McLaren b Peterson 48

Akmal made 48 off 51 balls with six boundaries and a six adding 66 runs for the third wicket with Younis Khan.

Kamran is on a roll hammering Tsotobe through the covers for his sixth boundary.

Kamran has moved to 43 with another boundary off Peterson cutting to third man.

Kamran cracks a boundary off Morkel to bring up the 50 partnership for the third wicket with Younis off 65 balls

Kamran has smashed Peterson for the first six of the match over mid wicket.

Younis Khan completes 7,000 ODI run with a single in the 17th over.

Younis Khan's first boundary comes off McLaren driving him beautifully through the covers.

Kamran has punched Morkel through point for his third boundary.

Pakistan lose their second wicket in the 10th over as Farhat is caught behind edging to AB de Villiers attempting an expansive drive off Tsotsobe.

Imran Farhat c AB de Villiers b Tsotsobe 13

Kamran has hit his second boundary through cover off Tsotsobe.

Kamran Akmal has hit his first boundary in the fourth over with a classic cover drive off Steyn.

Steyn strikes to dismiss Hafeez caught at second slip by Colin Ingram.

Mohammad Hafeez c Ingram b Steyn 5

Hafeez made five off nine balls forced to play a good length ball only succeeding in edging it.

Steyn has 100 ODI wickets in 72 matches.

Hafeez hits the first delivery from Tsotsobe through the covers for a boundary.

Farhat hits the first bouddary of the match clipping the third delivery from Steyn to fine leg.

Pakistan have won the toss and will bat first in the fifth and final one-day international against South Africa in Benoni on Sunday.

The series is tantalisingly poised at 2-2 as Pakistan chase a rare series victory.

Quinton de Kock and Morne Morkel come in Graeme Smith and Rory Kleinveldt for South Africa.

Pakistan go in with an unchanged side which won at Durban.

Teams

South Africa - Qunitin de Kock, Hashim Amla, Colin Ingram, AB de Villiers (captain and wicket keeper), Farhaan Behardien, David Miller, Robin Peterson, Ryan McLaren, Morne Morkel, Dale Steyn, Lonwabo Tsotsobe

Pakistan - Imran Farhat, Mohammad Hafeez, Younis Khan, Misbah-ul-Haq (captain), Shoaib Malik, Kamran Akmal (wicket keeper), Shahid Afridi, Wahab Riaz, Saeed Ajmal, Junaid Khan, Mohammad Irfan

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