Pakistan restrict Proteas to 234-9 in 4th ODI

DURBAN: South Africa made 234-9 in 50 overs against Pakistan despite fine bowling performances by fast bowlers Mohammad Irfan and Junaid Khan and off-spinner Saeed Ajmal in the fourth One-day International here at the Kingsmead on Thursday.

Batting first after winning the toss, South Africa made a disastrous start losing two wickets off the first two deliveries from fast bowling sensation
Mohammad Irfan who dismissed in-form batsmen Hashim Amla and Colin Ingram.

He had Amla caught behind, then bowled Colin Ingram with a yorker.

Later, fellow left-armer Junaid Khan followed up with the wickets of Graeme Smith and Farhaan Behardien as South Africa slumped to 38 for four.

Then, captain AB de Villiers and David Miller gave the home side hope of making a good total with a fourth.wicket stand of 115 before Miller missed a sweep against Ajmal and was out after a career-best innings of 67 off 77 balls with seven fours.

His dismissal came nine balls before the batting power play and South Africa's hopes plummeted when De Villiers was caught behind when he was adjudged to have gloved a sweep against Ajmal after making 75 off 108 balls with five fours.

The off-spinner had Ryan McLaren caught in the deep as the power play yielded just 17 runs for the loss of two wickets.

Ajmal took three for 42 in ten overs, while Irfan claimed three for 46 in nine and Junaid took three for 45 in nine.