South Africa hold nerve to clinch tense win

DUBAI, (Reuters) – South Africa held its  nerve to  clinch a thrilling two-run victory over Pakistan in a chaotic and error strewn finish to the third one-day international at  the Dubai International Cricket Stadium yesterday.

Defending a modest total of just 228 for nine, built almost exclusively around an unbeaten century from opener Hashim Amla,  South African seamers Lonwabo Tsotsobe and Juan Theron only just  managed to defend 34 runs in the final four overs.

Pakistan came up short despite an unbeaten 59 from Fawad  Alam who was dropped twice in the closing overs while Theron  added to the tension by bowling a no ball with the first  delivery of the final over from which 12 runs were required.

Amla hit 119, continuing a superb fun of form in the last  six months which has seen him score 865 runs in his last 11 ODI  innings with five centuries.

On an awkward, rather than difficult or dangerous batting  surface which lacked pace, Amla guided and teased the ball into  gaps and used his delicate touch to play as late as possible.

His team mates, however, were largely at sea with only J-P  Duminy (26) passing 20. AB de Villiers might have done better  than his 19 off 40 balls had he not been bizarrely given out  stumped by third umpire Zameer Haider despite his back foot  being clearly grounded behind his crease.
Pakistan’s top order once again struggled although Imran  Farhat (47) and Asad Shafiq (43) added 85 for the third wicket  to repair the early damage.

Shahid Afridi hit his second ball for six to surpass Sanath  Jayasuriya as the leading international six-hitter of all time  across all formats (353) but was then promptly dismissed.

Seamer Wahab Riaz was the unlikely hero in the closing overs  smiting fast bowler Morne Morkel over point for six in a cameo  innings of 21 from 11 deliveries which suddenly reignited  Pakistan’s hopes which had seemed remote with 83 required from  the final 10 overs and only five wickets in hand.

Left hander Alam did his best to squeeze the required runs  out of his tail end partners but, whereas Abdul Razzaq had  achieved it against even greater odds in the second match in Abu  Dhabi, this time the Proteas managed to sneak home to take a 2-1  lead in the five-match series.

The fourth match of the series takes place at the same venue on Friday.