Pakistan beaten by South Africa in 3rd ODI

ABU DHABI: Pakistan were defeated by South Africa in third One-day International to give the Proteas 2-1 lead in the five match series here at the Sheikh Zayed Stadium on Wednesday.

Chasing a modest total of 260, Pakistan openers Ahmed Shahzad and Mohammad Hafeez provided a fine start of 50 but later other batsmen could not resist the accurate bowling by spinner Imran Tahir and pacers Morne Morkel and Dayle Styen, and were all out for 191 in 44.3 overs, for a 68-run loss in the match.

Imran Tahir grabbed four wickets for 53 while Morkel claimed two wickets.

However, late-order batsmen provided some resistance to reduce the margin of defeat as Wahab Riaz and Sohail Tanveer added 61 for the eighth wicket.

Wahab Riaz top scored with 33, followed by Ahmed Shahzad (32) and Sohail Tanveer (31).

South Africa won the first match by one run in Sharjah while Pakistan won the second in Dubai by 66 runs.

The remaining matches will be played in Abu Dhabi on Friday and Sharjah on Monday.