Amla,Morkel mastermind Pak defeat

An exciting match ended in Pakistan's defeat by a mere 2-run margin in the third ODI.

Opener Hashim Amla hit a fighting century and paceman Morne Morkel took four wickets as South Africa pulled off a narrow two-run win over Pakistan in the third day-night international here today.

South Africa,put into bat by Pakistan,owed it to the 27-year-old Amla who carried his bat through the innings with a resolute 119 and helped his team to a defendable 228-9 before surviving another scare by Pakistan who managed 226-9.

It was the bearded right-hander8217;s sixth one-day hundred 8212; his fifth this year 8212; which brought South Africa back in the match after they struggled initially on a tricky Dubai Stadium pitch.

South Africa,who lost the second match in Abu Dhabi by one wicket after Abdul Razzaq8217;s incredible 72-ball 109 not out,this time negated Fawad Alam8217;s brilliant 59 not out which almost turned the tables again.

Rusty Theron kept his nerves to defend 12 runs in the last over as Pakistan lost two wickets and managed just nine runs.

Paceman Morne Morkel 4-47 had derailed Pakistan after opener Imran Farhat 47 and Asad Shafiq 43 added 85 for the third wicket to put Pakistan on course for a win,chasing just over four an over.

Farhat,who hit only one boundary off 86 balls,and Shafiq helped Pakistan recover the early loss of opener Mohammad Hafeez four and Younis Khan nought with the total on 13.

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But both Farhat 8212; brought in in place of Misbah-ul-Haq as the only change 8212; and Shafiq were run out in sloppy manner to spoil the run-chase.

And when Shahid Afridi seven and Abdul Razzaq 12 fell,Pakistan had all but lost the match. Alam then added 33 for the eight wicket with Wahab Riaz 21 to revive Pakistan8217;s hopes of an unlikely win but South Africa overcame last match jitters in the end.

Alam hit three boundaries off 67 balls.

South Africa were once again without their captain Graeme Smith who failed to fully recover from a hand injury sustained during his team8217;s eight wicket win in the first match at Abu Dhabi on Friday,but all-rounder Jacques Kallis was included after recovering from injury.

It was Amla though who anchored the South African innings with a patient knock.

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Amla put on a valuable 59-run fourth wicket stand with Jean-Paul Duminy 26 after Pakistani paceman Shoaib Akhtar put them on the back foot by dismissing Kallis nought and in-form Colin Ingram four early.

Amla,who has so far scored 986 runs in 13 one-day matches this year,held one end during his 126-ball knock,hitting nine boundaries to carry his bat through the innings.