Amla rescues South Africa

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.

DUBAI, AFP