Pakistan outplayed by South Africa in first ODI

LOEMFONTEIN: Pakistan were defeated by a big margin of 125 runs against South Africa in the first One-day International here at the Chevrolet Park on Sunday.

Chasing a huge target of 316, Pakistan batsmen could not resist against the South African bowlers and were all out for 190 in 36.2 overs.

Pakistan made a bright start with Mohammad Hafeez and Nasir Jamshed putting on 42 for the first wicket off 43 balls before they suffered a double blow.

Jamshed was caught at slip by Graeme Smith off Rory Kleinveldt for 25 and Hafeez fell for the same score in unlucky fashion when a drive by Younis Khan was deflected by bowler Kleinveldt into the stumps for Hafeez to be run out.

Asad Shafiq fell cheaply and Pakistan were unable to build substantial partnerships with captain Misbah-ul-Haq top-scoring with 38.

Shahid Afridi hit 34 off 16 balls before he was last man out but his innings was never likely to alter the outcome. Afridi hit three sixes, including a massive strike which sailed out of the ground and into a car park.

Kleinveldt, whose first two balls were hit for four, came back strongly to finish with four for 22 in 5.2 overs, while Ryan McLaren took three for 19.

Earlier, Colin Ingram smashed an unbeaten century as South Africa piled up 315 for four after being sent in to bat.

The left-handed Ingram made 105 not out off 103 balls with ten fours. It was his third one-day international century and his second against Pakistan.

He shared partnerships of 120 for the third wicket with captain AB de Villiers (65), 62 for the fourth wicket with Faf du Plessis (26) and 50 off only 23 balls with Farhaan Behardien, who hammered 34 not out off 14 deliveries.

Graeme Smith and Hashim Amla set an aggressive tone with an opening partnership of 72 after South Africa were sent in, with both batsmen going for their shots against Junaid Khan and Umar Gul despite the Pakistan new ball bowlers getting some early assistance from the pitch.

The win gave South Africa a 1-0 lead in the five-match series. The second match will be played in Centurion on Friday.