Usman Shinwari ripped through the Proteas to take 4-35 as the hosts were skittled for 164 in the Pink ODI, reports KHALID MOHIDIN.
The Proteas were put into bat by stand-in Pakistan captain Shoaib Malik after he confirmed the absence of Sarfaraz Ahmed due to the incident involving Andile Phehulkwayo in the third ODI at Centurion.
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Pakistan decided to drop their top bowler from the second ODI, Hasan Ali, and stuck in 18-year-old Shaheen Afridi, who had terrorised the Proteas’ top order in the first ODI in Durban.
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The youngster provided with the new ball. He struck early, dismissing Quinton de Kock for a duck in his 100th ODI, and followed this by sending Reeza Hendricks back to the stands early on after edging his shot to the keeper for two.
The Proteas skipper, Faf du Plessis, found himself in a familiar situation having to protect his side after an early collapse, and he had the perfect partner on the other end in Hashim Amla, the man with two centuries and a half-century at an average of over 75 under his belt in this series.
Amla made it two half-centuries at the ground and 37 overall after reaching his 50 in 59 balls. This helped the Proteas slip over the 100-run mark. Du Plessis followed suit, reaching his 30th half-century off 73 balls.
Du Plessis only managed 57 when he went after Shadab Khan with the sweep shot, and was caught by Mohammad Hafeez on the deep mid-wicket boundary.
Out came Rassie van der Dussen in front of his home crowd, but Amla (59 off 75 balls) couldn’t stick around long enough to build a partnership with the new man at the crease. He was bowled by Imad Wasim as the Proteas were knocked down to 130-4 by the 30th over.
This gave David Miller the chance to show his ability, but it was not to be, trapped lbw by Mohammad Amir with his score on four.
Usman Shinwari then ripped through the Proteas’ lower order. He removed Van der Dussen (18), Dale Steyn (duck), Kagiso Rabada (duck) and Phehlukwayo (11) as the Proteas tumbled to 157-9 in 39 overs, thanks to accurate bowling by Usman.
Shadab took the final wicket of Imran Tahir as the Proteas were skittled for 164.
This gave Pakistan the chance to hand the Proteas their first ever Pink Day ODI defeat as they chase 165 for victory.
Proteas 164 – Faf du Plessis 57, Hashim Amla 59; Usman Shinwari 4-35.
Photo: Gordon Arons/Gallo Images
