Shahid Afridi's superb 88 off 48 balls failed to win 3rd ODI for Pakistan

Unlike previous limited over matches, where Pakistani bowlers usually outsmart the batsmen and take wickets in succession, the 3rd ODI at Wanderers Stadium, Johannesburg Sunday today was a different ballgame altogether.

Record third wicket partnership of 238 between Amla (122) and Villiers (128) set a huge target for Pakistan 

Today, Pakistan's bowlers seemed helpless against the South African stalwarts and failed to dislodge Hashim Amla and Villiers who scored centuries before going back to the pavilion. The duo's superb centuries and Plessis 45 scored an unbeatable 343 in 50 overs. Pakistan's Wahaab Riaz proved too costly for Pakistan for his 2/93, followed by Saeed Ajmal's 1/63.

Coming to bat, opener Nasir Jamshed once again failed to stay on the crease and was sent packing for just 10 runs. Although Hafeez stood to the ground for 57, others kept going back for small additions to the total. However, it was Shahid Afridi who put life into the match by his high hitting 88 off 48 balls. But he alone could not address the damage already done.

Shahid Afridi's high hitting 88 off 48 balls could not win 3rd ODI for Pakistan

Surprisingly Wahaab Riaz, who cost too much as a bowler, added valuable 45 runs. But the effort by Afridi and Wahaab could not win the match for Pakistan and Pakistan lost by 34 runs with 1.5 overs remaining. Tsotsobe bagged 3/74 while McLaren took 3/56.

Hashim Amla and Villiers shared the players of the match awards for their superb match winning centuries. Beside the thrilling match, the hallmark of today's match was the pink dress worn by the South African team to show their solidarity for the cause of fighting against the breast cancer.

South Africa now leads the 5-ODI series by 2-1.

4th ODI will be played between South Africa and  Pakistan at Durban on 21 March 2013.

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