AB de Villiers ton helps Proteas amass 268-7

SHARJAH: Captain AB de Villiers led South Africa from the front to set an improbable target of 269 for Pakistan in the fifth and final One-day International here at the Sharjah Cricket Stadium on Monday.

The South African skipper hit a 102-ball 115 studded with ten fours and three sixes to lift South Africa who won the toss and decided to bat at Sharjah stadium.

It was his 15th ODI century and he also completed his 6000 runs in his 153rd One-day International becoming the fifth South African batsmen to reach the milestone.

South Africa made disastrous start losing their star batsman Hashim Amla in the first over bowled by fast bowler Mohammad Irfan but Quinton de Kock (34) and Faf du Plessis (46) rescued the team with a 50-run second wicket partnership.

Later, du Plessis along with de Villiers added 62 for the fourth wicket stand to take South Africa to 124 for four in 31.4 overs.

The South Africa skipper recorded another useful partnership with Ryan McLaren (27) as they made 83 runs for the sixth wicket.

However, South Africa lost two quick wickets as South Africa reached 240-7 in 48.4 overs. But it was the final over from Sohail Tanvir in which de Villiers and Wayne Parnell lashed out 25 runs to take South Africa to 268-7.

Off-spinner Saeed Ajmal claimed three wickets for 45 while pace bowler Junaid Khan grabbed two.

South Africa were already leading the five-match ODI series 3-1.