(Reuters) – Misbah-ul-Haq played a captain’s innings with an unbeaten 57 as he steered Pakistan to a six-wicket victory over South Africa in the rain-affected second one-day international at Centurion yesterday.
Pakistan speedster Mohammad Irfan tore through the top order and South Africa were restricted to a modest 191 which the tourists passed with more than four overs to spare in a game that had been reduced to 44 per side by a rain delay.
Misbah shared a match-winning unbeaten fifth-wicket stand of 77 with Shoaib Malik (35 not out) as the pair showed patience initially and then blasted their way to victory.
Younus Khan (32) and Mohammed Hafeez (31) also made valuable contributions in a low-scoring game, but the win was set up by an attacking display with the ball.
Irfan posted career best figures of four for 33 as he took full advantage of the pace and variable bounce in the wicket.
He helped reduce South Africa to 62 for five before a fighting maiden one-day international half-century from Farhaan Berhardien (58) and a career-best 44 from Robin Peterson gave the hosts a glimmer of hope.
Pakistan paced their chase expertly and South Africa’s frustration led to a wayward bowling performance.
They offered Pakistan far too many opportunities to score and battled to create any pressure.
The teams head into tomorrow’s third one-day international with the series level at 1-1 after South Africa had breezed to a 125-run victory in the first match in Bloemfontein last weekend.
