South Africa beat Pakistan by 4 wickets in 3rd ODI

Vernon Philander led a strong performance by South Africa’s bowlers to set up a four-wicket consolation win for the hosts in the third and final One-day International against Pakistan at SuperSport Park on Saturday.South Africa this avoided a first ODI series whitewash at home as Pakistan celebrated their first-ever series win over the Proteas.Man-of-the-Match Philander took three for 26 in a Pakistan total of 179 all out. South Africa made heavy weather of the chase but won with 68 balls to spare, steered home by an unbeaten 48 from skipper A.B. de Villiers.Seeking an historic sweep in South Africa, Pakistan struggled in their last game ontour, with only captain Misbah-ul-Haq (79 not out) holding off the bowlers.Misbah hit four fours and two sixes in his gritty knock after Pakistan were 97-7 at one point. Makeshift opener Umar Amin scored 25, as did Sohaib Maqsood, while Misbah and Abdur Rehman (22) shared a 51-run stand for the eighth wicket but South Africa was ontop in the last game despite missing strike bowler Dale Steyn, all-rounder Jacques Kallis and opening batsman Graeme Smith.Philander, recently recalled to the one-day side after starringfor the South African Test team, struck with the fourth ball of the match when AhmedShehzad was caught at first slip without scoring. Ahmed made a century when Pakistanclinched the series by winning the second match in Port Elizabeth on Wednesday.Fellow new ball bowler Lonwabo Tsotsobe had Asad Shafiq caught behind in the fourth over and Pakistan were unable to build any significantpartnerships against hostile bowling on a pitch which offered good bounce.The best stand of the innings was 51 for the eighth wicket between Misbah and Abdur Rehman (22).South Africa made a fast start, with Quinton de Kock and Hashim Amla putting on 39 on35 balls for the first wicket before De Kock mistimed a hook against Bilawal Bhatti and was caught at backward square leg.The momentum slowed as new cap Henry Davids was tied down by Saeed Ajmal before being stumped off the wily off-spinner after struggling to seven off 18 balls.Amla made 41 before being run out after a superb stop and quick throw by Umar Amin at backward point.In contrast to his dazzling 74 off 45 balls in Port Elizabeth, where he played one big shot too many and was out before South Africa ‘crossed the line’, in his words, de Villiers playeda risk-free innings to ensure that South Africa successfully chased down a target for the first time in eight recent attempts.South Africa appeared to be cruising home until Amla was run out in the 16th over to make it 75-3. J.P. Duminy (16) and David Miller (24) also fell after getting starts but de Villiers guided the Proteas home with three fours in his measured 48 from 63 balls.Saeed, who adjudged Man-of-the-Match, was again the best Pakistan bowling, taking two for 34 in 10 overs.With the series decided, both sides showed several changes.Kallis and Steyn, both with minor injuries, were rested from the South African team, while Smith was absent because of a family bereavement.Pakistan made four changes. Mohammad Hafeez and Junaid Khan were injured, according to captain Misbah, while Shahid Afridi and Nasir Jamshed were rested. The newplayers were Umar Amin, AsadShafiq, Sohail Tanvir and Abdur Rehman.While Pakistan head home to prepare for the series against Sri Lanka in the UAE, India are due to arrive in South Africa on Monday for three One-day Internationals and a two-match Test series.