Proteas go 2-1 up

Clever batting from Reeza Hendricks and Faf du Plessis handed the Proteas a 13-run D/L method win in the rain-affected match at Centurion on Friday.

Full Scorecard

It leaves the visitors with an uphill battle going into the final two ODIs, needing to win both to salvage the series. It was a frustrating conclusion for Pakistan after posting an extremely competitive 317-6.

The Proteas will be relieved that Hendricks and Du Plessis kept their side in front of the D/L par score, as five dropped catches in the field left them wondering what could've been at the halfway stage.

Imam-ul-Haq, despite being dropped twice, led from the front with his 101. In the process he became the second-fastest batsman to 1000 ODI runs in history, taking just 19 innings to achieve the feat. Only his opening partner, Fakhar Zaman (17), has a better record.

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Pakistan won the toss and opted to bat first, but it would be the Proteas to strike the first blow, as debutant Beuran Hendricks forced the top edge off Zaman for two.

A 132-run stand then followed as Babar Azam and Imam took control. Just as Azam was looking to step it up a notch, he was trapped lbw by the returning Dale Steyn for 69.

The partnerships continued to come for Pakistan, as Imam and 38-year-old Mohammad Hafeez put together 84 before Andile Phehlukwayo caught a blinder at mid-on to remove him for 54, this after the allrounder dropped a simple chance when Azam was on four.

Imam then brought up his 5th ODI century, but departed soon after for 101, allowing the big hitters to do the job at the tail-end of the innings. The experienced Shoaib Malik and Imad Wasim struck 31 and 43 respectively to get their side to 317-6.

STEADY RESPONSE

The response was steady from the Proteas, as Quinton de Kock found some form in his return to the side after being rested for the first two matches. He traded boundaries with Hashim Amla as they brought up a fifty stand in nine overs.

Then came a lapse in concentration from Amla as he scooped one straight to Azam at mid-on for 25 off the bowling of Hasan Ali.

Reeza Hendricks walked to the crease knowing he was under pressure to perform, with a World Cup place on the line. He looked in fine touch as he built up a 26-run stand with De Kock. But then came another unforced error, as some confusion in the middle left De Kock short of the non-striker's end following a direct hit from Shadab Khan. De Kock was forced to walk back for 33.

The Proteas didn't look back from there, as Hendricks and Faf du Plessis navigated the uncertain weather conditions and steep required run rate with ease. Hendricks brought up his fifty off 53 balls, passing the milestone for the first time since his hundred on debut.

Du Plessis made sure they were always ahead of the par score as the rain started to fall, and by the time the covers were brought on, Du Plessis was on 40 and Hendricks 83 in what was a 108-run stand off just 111 balls.

That was all they needed to secure the 13-run D/L-Method victory, going into the pink ODI at the Wanderers on Sunday with the advantage.

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SOUTH AFRICA: Quinton de Kock (wk), Hashim Amla, Reeza Hendricks, Rassie van der Dussen, Faf du Plessis (capt), David Miller, Andile Phehlukwayo, Kagiso Rabada, Dale Steyn, Beuran Hendricks, Tabraiz Shamsi

PAKISTAN: Imam-ul-Haq, Fakhar Zaman, Babar Azam, Mohammad Hafeez, Shoaib Malik, Sarfraz Ahmed (capt & wk), Imad Wasim, Shadab Khan, Mohammad Amir, Hasan Ali, Shaheen Afridi