CENTURION - Swing bowler Vernon Philander sent a strong message to the South African one-day international selectors about his prowess in the 50-over game with a superb performance as the Proteas defeated Pakistan by four wickets in the final match of the series in Centurion on Saturday.
Philander, largely overlooked for the one-day side despite his success in test matches, bowled with excellent control to record figures of three for 26 in his 10 overs and help to restrict Pakistan to 179 all out after the visitors were sent into bat having lost the toss.
South Africa never looked unduly troubled in their chase, reaching 181 for six with 68 balls to spare, captain AB de Villiers steering them home with a composed 48 not out. Pakistan had already won the three-match contest heading into the final encounter, their first victory over South Africa in a bilateral limited-overs series.
Philander has taken 95 wickets in 18 test matches and emerged as one of the world's top bowlers in the longer format of the game since making his debut two years ago but this was just his 11th one-day appearance six years on from his first in 2007.
He set the tone early in the game, picking up the centurion from the last game, Ahmed Shehzad, for a duck in the first over of the innings. He was the pick of a South African attack in which all the bowlers picked up wickets, Lonwabo Tsotsobe returning two for 38 in his 10 overs and Ryan McLaren two for 28 in eight.
Misbahul Haq ran out of partners to be left stranded on 79 not out as the visitors were bowled out in the 47th over. Hashim Amla (41) helped South Africa to get off to a fast start and although they lost wickets at regular intervals, they easily passed Pakistan's mediocre total on a good batting wicket.
Meanwhile, Misbah said: “Already said in the second game as it was much needed to win this series. We have had a lot of youngsters coming in and performing especially after losing the home series in UAE. Really happy with how everyone played, and even though I am a bit disappointed with today, there is a lot we achieved on this tour. We have so many choices in the bowling department. Irfan can bowl well and take wickets, along with all the all-rounders.”
“If you have choices like that then you can really go for it. This should help us in the Sri Lanka tour. Winning here in South Africa also helps us mentally. Pressure was on but I know in cricket that these things happen. Sometimes you are trying everything and giving 100%, and you still lose. You have to be patient and bat well, which we have done through this series. Really happy with the way the team fought here. This is always important, especially in the sub-continent. If you want to lead the side, then you have to perform consistently. You have to perform as a leader,” he added.
South Africa captain AB de Villiers said: “I am happy with a few areas. I thought we bowled exceptionally well and we adapted to conditions well this morning. It was tough to come out and bat against a world-class attack. Happy with how we stuck it through. It didn't do much this morning and we bowled really well. Have to give credit to my bowling unit for taking wickets on this pitch. It was really tough to bat out there and score. That's why it made the run chase so special for us. We need a bit more care with the partnerships.”
We seem to get in and get out. If we get in we have to take it deep. Another big series coming up against India. They have been playing really good cricket around the world and are No. 1 and will be a great challenge for us. Hopefully we can beat the Indian team here in South Africa.”
Scoreboard
PAKISTAN:
Umar Amin c Amla b McLaren 25
Ahmed c Amla b Philander 0
Asad c De Kock b Tsotsobe 1
Sohaib c and b McLaren 25
Misbah not out 79
Umar Akmal c De Kock b Philander 5
Bilawal c Amla b Imran Tahir 1
Anwar c De Kock b Philander 1
Rehman c Amla b Tsotsobe 22
Tanvir c Parnell b Tsotsobe 6
Ajmal c De Villiers b Parnell 0
EXTRAS: (lb1, w13) 14
TOTAL: (46.5 overs) 179
FOW: 1-2, 2-7, 3-48, 4-67, 5-85, 6-96, 7-97, 8-148, 9-164
BOWLING: Philander 10-3-26-3, Tsotsobe 10-2-38-2, McLaren 8-1-28-2, Parnell 8.5-0-30-1, Imran Tahir 10-0-56-2
SOUTH AFRICA:
Q de Kock c Ajmal b Bilawal 15
H Amla run out 41
H Davids st Akmal b Ajmal 7
JP Duminy c Akmal b Rehman 16
AB de Villiers not out 48
DA Miller c Akmal b Tanvir 24
R McLaren b Ajmal 17
W Parnell not out 7
EXTRAS: (lb 4, nb 2) 6
TOTAL: (6 wickets; 38.4 overs) 181
FOW: 1-39, 2-49, 3-75, 4-84, 5-124, 6-164
Bowling: Sohail Tanvir 7.4-0-42-1, Anwar Ali 2-0-15-0, Bilawal Bhatti 8-1-35-1, Saeed Ajmal 10-1-34-2, Abdur Rehman 9-0-40-1, Sohaib Maqsood 2-0-11-0.
TOSS: South Africa
UMPIRES: Chris Gaffaney (NZL) and Shaun George (RSA)
TV UMPIRE: Bruce Oxenford (AUS)
MATCH REFEREE: Chris Broad (ENG)