Daily Times

Intermittent rain foiled Pakistan’s chances as Reeza Hendricks and Faf du Plessis forged an unbeaten 108-run stand for the third wicket to take South Africa to a 13-run win in the third One-day International in Centurion on Friday evening. The win helped the hosts take a 2-1 lead in the five-match series. A fifth ODI century from Imam-ul-Haq saw Pakistan amass 317-6 in their 50 overs. With dark clouds hovering, Hendricks kept up with the DLS par score and along with his captain ensured when rain intervened the hosts were ahead on 187-2 in 33 overs. A long interval took place and in the end, the umpires decided the outfield was not fit enough to play. South Africa came out in their run chase with gusto with Hashim Amla and Quinton de Kock racing to 36-0 in the first six overs before Hasan Ali struck. The pacer having been carted for a four the previous ball kept at it and got Amla to chip a harmless delivery straight into the hands of Azam at short midwicket for 25.

De Kock having scored an enterprising 33 fell to a piece of brilliance from Shadab Khan. The leg-spinner stationed at backward point took advantage of the mix-up between Reeza Hendricks and de Kock to pin the stumps down at the non-striker’s end and find the latter short. The weather opened up soon after South Africa were on 88-2 in the 17th over. Once the game restarted a good 45 minutes later, Hendricks took the initiative to go for his shots. While Faf du Plessis rotated the strike, Hendricks kept finding the boundaries. He reached his half-century in 53 balls and looked in pristine touch all through. Even with the clouds hovering, the duo kept at it and when the rain came falling again they had ensured South Africa were 13 runs ahead of the DLS par score at the stage. Earlier, electing to bat first on a placid track, Pakistan were rocked early with Beuran Hendricks taking just seven balls to claim his maiden ODI wicket getting rid of opener Fakhar Zaman for 2. Babar Azam was flamboyant from the outset, getting off the mark with a four and along with Imam got the innings going. The 132-run stand for the second wicket between him and Imam made sure gave Pakistan had a solid foundation.

Published in Daily Times, January 27^th 2019.