Kallis fires SA to series win

All-rounder Jacques Kallis scored a brilliant half-century and took three wickets to guide South Africa to a commanding 57-run win over Pakistan in the fifth and final one-day international here on Monday.

The 35-year-old scored 83 - one of four half-centuries in the innings - to steer South Africa to an imposing 317-5 before he took 3-30 to dismiss Pakistan for 260 in reply, giving South Africa a 3-2 series win.

Pakistan, hoping to win their first-ever bilateral series win over South Africa, were cruising along nicely with openers Mohammad Hafeez (59) and Shahzaib Hasan (39) gave them a robust 82-run start in their quest for their third best-ever chase in one-day cricket.

But Kallis derailed Pakistan's innings with a triple strike in as many overs, removing Hasan, Younis Khan (three) and Mohammad Yousuf (three) off 13 balls to make his opponents struggle from 82-0 to 96-3. As if his batting and bowling were not enough, Kallis took a well-judged catch at long-on off fellow paceman Dale Steyn to dismiss Hafeez in the 23rd over.

Umar Akmal (60) and Abdul Razzaq (39) briefly threatened during their firy 60-run sixth wicket partnership before South Africa wrapped up the innings in the 45th over.

Akmal hit three sixes and one boundary during his 71-ball knock.

South African skipper Graeme Smith praised the team effort.

"It was really a good effort from the team," said Smith. "We batted with freedom to put a great total and then put pressure on Pakistan to clinch the series."

Pakistan captain Shahid Afridi was disappointed with his men's bowling.

"I think we bowled badly to start with and then were very poor in the final overs. It needed a big effort to win, which wasn't there."

DUBAI, Tuesday, AFP