Hafeez obstructs field even as Pak overcome obstacles

The new International Cricket Council rule prohibits batsmen from intentionally changing their running line to intercept the ball.

In a match where Mohammad Hafeez became the first batsman given out for obstructing the field under new rules on Thursday,Pakistan defeated South Africa by three wickets to level their one-day series 2-2.

The opener changed his running line while attempting a second run and was struck by a throw from AB de Villiers aimed at the non-strikers end. He was given out by third umpire Billy Bowden. The new International Cricket Council rule prohibits batsmen from intentionally changing their running line to intercept the ball.

Pakistan,chasing 235 to win at Kingsmead,stuttered to 33-3 before a 153-run stand between captain Misbah-ul-Haq 80 and opener Imran Farhat 93 laid the platform for victory.

It was a much-needed victory for us,everybody put in 100 percent. It was a combined effort. You dream of a start like we got with the ball,all of the bowlers bowled well, Misbah said.

The decider is in Benoni on Sunday with Pakistan holding the chance of ending their nightmare tour with a series win. After being whitewashed in the three match Test series,Pakistan have shown a lot more gumption in the short format games,winning a T20I and two one-dayers.

Early set-back

South Africa lost two wickets with the first two balls of their innings after winning the toss and electing to bat,a disastrous start in which Hashim Amla was caught by the wicketkeeper and Colin Ingram bowled by Mohammad Irfan.

It was a set-back from which they never quite recovered,although AB de Villiers 75 and David Miller 67 put on 115 for the fourth wicket to see the home side to a below-par 234 in 50 overs.

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Pakistan were in early trouble in their reply but recovered with a Kingsmead one-day international record stand for the fourth wicket by Misbah and Farhat.

Both departed before the end and despite a scare when Shahid Afridi and Wahab Riaz lost their wickets,Pakistan coasted home with eight balls to spare.

Brief scores: South Africa 234/9 in 50 overs AB de Villiers 75,D Miller 67; S Ajmal 3/42, J Khan 3/45,M IRfan 3/46 lost to Pakistan 236/7 in 48.4 overs I Farhat 93,M ul Haq 80; R Peterson 2/46