Usman Shinwari ripped through the Proteas taking 4-35 as the hosts were bowled out for 164 in the Pink ODI, reports KHALID MOHIDIN.
The Proteas were put in to bat by stand-in Pakistan captain Shoaib Malik after he confirmed the absence of Sarfaraz Ahmed for the incident with 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 with 18-year-old Shaheen Afridi, who 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 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, who has two centuries and a half-century at an average of over 75.
Amla made it two half-centuries at the ground and 37th overall reaching his 50 in 59 balls. This helped the Proteas slip over the 100-run mark. Du Plessis followed suit, scoring his 30th half-century in 73 balls.
Du Plessis only managed 57 and went after Shadab Khan with the sweep shot and was caught by Mohammad Hafeez on the deep midwicket 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 130-4 by the 30th over.
This gave David Miller the chance to show his ability, but it was not to be as he was trapped lbw on four by Mohammad Amir.
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 chased 165 for victory.
Proteas (164) – Faf du Plessis (57), Hashim Amla (59); Usman Shinwari (4-35).
Photo: Gordon Arons/Gallo Images
