de Kock assault sinks Pakistan in Odi series decider

Opening batsman Quinton de Kock launched an assault on Pakistan’s bowlers to set up a series-clinching win for South Africa in the fifth and final one-day international (ODI) at Newlands on Wednesday. De Kock slammed 83 off 58 balls as South Africa chased down a target of 241 with seven wickets and ten overs to spare to seal a 3-2 series win. “Quinny made it easy for the rest of the batters,” said South African captain Faf du Plessis, who said he was “extremely happy” with the way his team had played. “Our best performance came tonight in a crunch game,” said Du Plessis. “The bowling was excellent and the fielding was really good. And when Quinny plays like he did tonight he’s extremely difficult to bowl to.” While man-of-the-match De Kock sealed the win with his dazzling strokeplay, South Africa’s bowlers played a significant role by restricting Pakistan to 240 for eight despite an aggressive 70 by Fakhar Zaman. While Zaman was at the crease, Pakistan were on course for a big total. He was fourth out after a 73-ball innings when the total was 128 in the 25th over. But the scoring rate slowed after his dismissal, with only 49 runs scored in the next 15 overs. “Our top three batters got starts and we wanted them to capitalise,” said Pakistan stand-in captain Shoaib Malik, who has temporarily taken the role from Sarfraz Ahmed after the wicketkeeper was banned for making a racist remark about Andile Phehlukwayo. “White-ball cricket is all about the first three batters.” Malik congratulated opening batsman Imam-ul-Haq, who was named man of the series after scoring 271 runs at an average of 54.20 in five innings. “He is improv- ing day by day,” said Malik. www.dawn.com