Pakistan v South Africa, 2013-14
Wisden's review of the third ODI, Pakistan vs South Africa, 2013-14
15-Apr-2014
At Abu Dhabi, November 6, 2013 (day/night). South Africa won by 68 runs. Toss: South Africa.
South Africa had been without Amla (back home for his child's birth) and Steyn (rested) for the first two one-day internationals, so were not overly despondent to arrive in Abu Dhabi all-square - and with Gary Kirsten back in their stable as a batting consultant. In the case of Steyn the impact was immediate. He picked up just one wicket, but it took only a few balls for him to change the mood of Pakistan's chase. Ahmed Shehzad, teeming with confidence, was aiming for his fourth consecutive one-day international fifty. But Steyn, held back to first change, dismissed him with his seventh ball, and Pakistan's hopes were swiftly punctured. Tsotsobe followed up with 21 consecutive dot balls, and the rest of the batting combusted. South Africa's total had been built on organic virtues, with the top five rejigged following the axing of Ingram, Smith's return home with problems related to his blow to the head in the Second Test, and the recall of Amla and de Kock as openers. De Kock reported back from his Sri Lanka experience tighter outside off stump (though he found keeping wicket tough in these conditions), while du Plessis thrived upon his promotion to No. 3. But the engine-room was a 70-run stand between Duminy and de Villiers, low on boundaries but high on hard running and endeavour.
Man of the Match: F. du Plessis.
South Africa had been without Amla (back home for his child's birth) and Steyn (rested) for the first two one-day internationals, so were not overly despondent to arrive in Abu Dhabi all-square - and with Gary Kirsten back in their stable as a batting consultant. In the case of Steyn the impact was immediate. He picked up just one wicket, but it took only a few balls for him to change the mood of Pakistan's chase. Ahmed Shehzad, teeming with confidence, was aiming for his fourth consecutive one-day international fifty. But Steyn, held back to first change, dismissed him with his seventh ball, and Pakistan's hopes were swiftly punctured. Tsotsobe followed up with 21 consecutive dot balls, and the rest of the batting combusted. South Africa's total had been built on organic virtues, with the top five rejigged following the axing of Ingram, Smith's return home with problems related to his blow to the head in the Second Test, and the recall of Amla and de Kock as openers. De Kock reported back from his Sri Lanka experience tighter outside off stump (though he found keeping wicket tough in these conditions), while du Plessis thrived upon his promotion to No. 3. But the engine-room was a 70-run stand between Duminy and de Villiers, low on boundaries but high on hard running and endeavour.
Man of the Match: F. du Plessis.