Brilliant half-centuries from Graeme Smith and Shaun Pollock helped South Africa win the fourth one-day international against Pakistan by seven wickets on Friday to level the five-match cricket series 2-2 in Multan.
Pakistan's total of 230-9, built around a fighting 110-ball 82 from Younis Khan, had looked respectable, but Smith (81) and Pollock (90) added 159 runs for the second wicket stand to help their team reach 233-3 in 37.4 overs.
It was Smith and Herschelle Gibbs (39) who put on a brisk 65 for the first wicket to provide the perfect platform for the chase, which left a packed crowd at Multan Stadium disappointed.
When Gibbs was trapped leg-before by leg-spinner Shahid Afridi in the 11th over, Pollock was sent as pinch-hitter to counter Pakistan's potent spin bowling.
He and Smith, dropped on 74 by Umar Gul off his own bowling, took the game away from Pakistan before Pollock fell with just seven needed to win and Smith when just three were needed.
The 34-year-old all-rounder Pollock hit nine boundaries and a six during his 84-ball knock, while Smith hit seven boundaries during his 103-ball stay.
{{/usCountry}}The 34-year-old all-rounder Pollock hit nine boundaries and a six during his 84-ball knock, while Smith hit seven boundaries during his 103-ball stay.
{{/usCountry}}Earlier, Younis held the Pakistan innings together with captain Shoaib Malik (45), adding an invaluable 91 runs for the fourth wicket after Pakistan won the toss and decided to bat.
Pakistan lost Shahid Afridi (nought), Yasir Hameed (10) and Mohammad Yousuf (five) by the 12th over in a shaky start.