Geo436.com blog: Amla’s fighting ton guides Proteas to 228-9 against Pakistan

Geo 436 DUBAI: Opener Hashim Amla hit a fighting unbeaten hundred to rescue South Africa against an aggressive Pakistan bowling to guide them to 228-9 in the third day-night international here on Tuesday.

The 27-year-old bearded right-hander batted without fuss to notch 119 for his sixth one-day hundred – his fifth this year – after Pakistan won the toss and put South Africa into bat on a tricky Dubai Stadium pitch.

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 Jacques Kallis (nought) in the third over and in-form Colin Ingram (four) in the fifth.

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

Pakistani spinners – Shahid Afridi and Mohammad Hafeez – also benefitted from the slow turn as they captaured four wickets between them and never allowed South African batsman any room for free strokeplay.

Afridi had dangerous-looking AB de Villiers and Albie Morkel – who both scored 19 each – during his 2-53 off ten overs, while Hafeez (2-34) accounted for Duminy and David Miller (6).

Amla added another valuable 38 with Johan Botha (15) before Akhtar dismissed Botha to finish with 3-39.

South Africa were without their captain Graeme Smith for the second match in a row after he hurt his left hand in the first match at Abu Dhabi, which his team won by eight wickets.

All-rounder Kallis returned while Rusty Theron was drafted in place of Charl Langeveldt and Robin Peterson.

Pakistan, who won the second match to level the five-match series 1-1, dropped Misbah-ul-Haq to bring Imran Farhat in.