CENTURION – Yusuf Pathan’s blistering century proved in vain for India as South Africa won the fifth and decisive one-day international by 33 runs on Sunday to take the series 3-2. Morne Morkel bagged four wickets and Dale Steyn and Lonwabo Tsotsobe two apiece for the hosts who dismissed India for 234.
India had been set a Duckworth/Lewis revised target of 268 to win in 46 overs following a rain delay. India were in desperate trouble at 119 for eight before Pathan resurrected their hopes by thumping 105 off 70 balls – the fastest ever for India against South Africa. Hashim Amla had earlier batted through the South African innings, his 116 not out anchoring a total of 250 for nine in 46 overs.
The pace and aggression of Morkel and Steyn undermined the Indian innings until Pathan staged a classic counter-attack. The powerful right-hander slammed eight fours and eight sixes in his remarkable innings before man-of-the-series Morkel eventually ended the entertainment when he had Pathan caught at mid-off after a skied drive.
Because South Africa’s innings was interrupted by rain on 226 for three after 42 overs, the Duckworth/Lewis calculation handed the home team an extra 17 runs. South Africa’s innings ended in turmoil after the 78-minute delay, the hosts losing six wickets for 19 runs in four overs, including two run outs. Amla shared a stand of 97 for the second wicket with Morne van Wyk (56) and added 102 for the fourth wicket with JP Duminy (35).
