AB de Villiers became the fastest
South African to 6,000 ODI runs, in 147 innings, and in getting there,
scored a century to form the backbone of South Africa's innings. His was
a knock of two halves - the first circumspect, and the second
aggressive on a surface that was difficult for batting. It was in the
latter part of the innings that he took the game away from Pakistan.
In that portion of his knock, de Villiers shared an 83-run sixth-wicket
stand with Ryan McLaren to transform the South Africa's effort from
ordinary to outstanding. They were the only batsmen to manage fluency on
the slow track against a Pakistan attack that were far more comfortable
here than they were in Abu Dhabi.
The captain started slowly, formed key partnerships with Faf du Plessis
and Ryan McLaren and rotated strike to give South Africa's new-look
attack something to bowl to. With Dale Steyn, Morne Morkel and Imran
Tahir rested, Pakistan may still fancy their chances of recording the
first victory by a side batting second in the series. However, they will
need to bat watchfully and pace their innings well.
Full report to follow