Imran Farhat, Misbah-ul-Haq power Pakistan to series-leveling victory against Pakistan

Imran Farhat and Misbah-ul-Haq powered Pakistan to a three wickets victory against South Africa in the fourth ODI at Durban on Thursday.

Imran Farhat scored a brilliant 93 © Getty Images

Durban: Mar 21, 2013
 
Imran Farhat and Misbah-ul-Haq powered Pakistan to a three wickets victory against South Africa in the fourth ODI at Durban on Thursday.
 
Farhat scored 93 and Misbah scored 80 as Pakistan leveled the series 2-2. Shoaib Malik hit the winning runs for Pakistan.

Initially in the Pakistan innings, Mohammad Hafeez became the first player in the history to be given run out for obstructing the field according to new rules.
 
Earlier, Pakistan’s fast bowlers struck early and off-spinner Saeed Ajmal ended a promising fightback by South Africa in the fourth one-day international at Kingsmead on Thursday.

South Africa, leading the five-match series 2-1, struggled to 234 for nine in their 50 overs, despite fourth wicket stand of 115 between captain AB de Villiers (75) and David Miller (67).

South Africa’s troubles started early when the tall left-armer Mohammad Irfan took wickets with the first two balls of the match. He had Hashim Amla caught behind, then bowled Colin Ingram with a yorker.

Fellow left-armer Junaid Khan followed up with the wickets of Graeme Smith and Farhaan Behardien as South Africa slumped to 38 for four after winning the toss.

De Villiers and Miller gave the home side hope of making a good total before Miller missed a sweep against Ajmal and was out after a career-best innings.

Miller’s 67 was scored off 77 balls and he hit seven fours.

His dismissal came nine balls before the batting power play and South Africa’s hopes plummeted when De Villiers was caught behind when he was adjudged to have gloved a sweep against Ajmal after making 75 off 108 balls with five fours.

The off-spinner had Ryan McLaren caught in the deep as the power play yielded just 17 runs for the loss of two wickets.

Ajmal took three for 42 in ten overs, while Irfan claimed three for 46 in nine and Junaid took three for 45 in nine.

(With inputs from AFP)

Brief Scores: South Africa 234 for 9 in 50 overs (AB de Villiers 75, David Miller 67; Saeed Ajmal 3 for 42, Mohammad Irfan 3 for 46) vs Pakistan 236 for 7 in 48.4 overs (Imran Farhat 93, Misbah-ul-Haq 80; Robin Petersen 2 for 46) by three wickets.
 
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