became the fastest South African to 6000 ODI runs, scored the century that formed the backbone of their innings and led South Africa to a 4-1 series win over Pakistan. South Africa had lost to Sri Lanka by the same margin in August this year, and the side has since made noticeable improvements, particularly in the batting department.
Although not yet the finished product, their line-up is showing signs of maturity and responsibility, characterised by de Villiers' knock - a well-paced innings of two halves in which he was willing to do the hard work to find fluency on a difficult batting surface.
His first fifty was circumspect, coming off 70 balls with a single boundary - a big six to bring up the landmark. That was the indication of de Villiers' readiness to change gears. His next fifty was blasted off 29 balls.
The 83-run sixth-wicket stand de Villiers shared with Ryan McLaren took the innings from ordinary to outstanding. With 114 runs added in the last 10 overs, de Villiers ensured South Africa's new-look attack, with Dale Steyn, Morne Morkel and Imran Tahir rested, would not be under much pressure. Instead, it was the Pakistan line-up who faced that burden and, once again, they could not stand up to the challenge in a series where the team batting second has not won a single game.
South Africa wanted to set right their last batting performance in Sharjah, in the first ODI, when they were dismissed for 183 but they started off shakily. Mohammad Irfan accounted for Hashim Amla in the first over when he hit the opener on the front pad. Amla considered a review but erroneously decided against it. Replays showed the ball had pitched outside leg stump. That made it the fifth time Irfan accounted for Amla's wicket in eight ODIs - the most number of times a bowler has dismissed Amla.
Courtesy: Firdose Moonda, ESPN
News Source: http://www.espncricinfo.com/pakistan-v-south-africa-2013-14/content/current/story/687541.html
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