JOHANNESBURG: Pakistan shrugged off a four-match suspension imposed oncaptain Sarfraz Ahmed with a crushing eight-wicket win over South Africa inthe fourth one-day international at the Wanderers Stadium on Sunday.
The result levelled the five-match series at 2-2. The deciding match willbe in Cape Town on Wednesday.
Pakistan’s bowlers set up the win, bowling out South Africa for 164.Imam-ul-Haq made 71 before playing a loose shot when the scores were levelas Pakistan cruised to victory with 18.3 overs to spare.
Stand-in captain Shoaib Malik said at the after-match presentation thatPakistan only found out after they arrived at the ground that Sarfraz hadbeen banned under the International Cricket Council’s anti-racism code forremarks aimed at South African all-rounder Andile Phehlukwayo during thesecond match in Durban on Tuesday.
The ban had still not been announced by the ICC when Malik walked out forthe toss.
Malik handled his bowlers and fielders astutely and South Africa were keptunder pressure almost from the time he won the toss and sent them in on apitch which had early life.
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“It is a great honour to represent your country, as a player or a captain,”said Malik. “When the responsibility comes you should make sure to give ityour best shot.”
Shaheen Shah Afridi made two early strikes before Hashim Amla (59) andcaptain Faf du Plessis (57) made half-centuries and put on 101 for thethird wicket.
Malik’s use of spinners Imad Wasim and Shadab Khan kept the scoring rate incheck and both batsmen fell to the slow men before the fast bowlersreturned.
