Pakistan record sensational win over South Africa

PORT ELIZABETH: Pakistan recorded a sensational one-run victory and also a maiden series win against South Africa in the second One-day International here at the St George’s Park on Wednesday.

South Africa who were going well on the way to victory and needed only eleven runs from twelve balls to level the series were astonishingly restricted by left-arm pace bowler Junaid Khan and off-spinner Saeed Ajmal who gave away just nine runs dismissing two experienced batsmen – Hashim Amla and Jean-Paul Duminy - to snatch the win from the jaws of defeat.

Junaid captured three wickets for 42 while leg-spinner Shahid Afridi grabbed two and Saeed Ajmal took one wicket.

Chasing 263, South Africa were restricted to 261 for six in the match, reduced to 45 overs a side due to rain.

Opener Amla top scored with a patient 98 while captain AB de Villiers made an aggressive 74 from 45 balls. Both added 110 runs for the fourth wicket stand.

Amla also added 87 for the second wicket partnership with Quinton de Kock, who contributed 47 from 52 balls with a six and three boundaries.

Earlier, opener Ahmed Shehzad scored a brilliant century to steer Pakistan to 262 all out in exact 45 overs after South Africa captain won the toss and sent them into bat.

Shehzad made 102 off 112 balls with eight fours and two sixes. He also completed his 1000 runs in One-day International cricket just before completing his third ODI century.

He added 126 valuable runs for the third wicket partnership along with young Sohaib Maqsood, who hit 42 from 59 balls with three boundaries.

Umar Akmal also made 42 from 30 balls, hitting two sixes and four boundaries while young allrounder Bilawal Bhatti scored 21 off 14 balls smashing three boundaries in an over from fast bowler Dale Steyn, who claimed six wickets for 39 runs - the best bowling performance of his career.

The third and final One-day International will be played between the two teams at Centurion on November 30.