Splendid display from Kallis while skipper Smith lauds team effort

Updated on: 09 November,2010 08:19 AM IST |
AFP |

South African skipper Graeme Smith praised his team after their 57-run win over Pakistan in the fifth and final one-day international last night

South African skipper Graeme Smith praised his team after their 57-run win over Pakistan in the fifth and final one-day international last night.

"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."

The 35-year-old scored 83u00a0-- one of four half-centuries in the inningsu00a0-- to steer SA 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 the series, were cruising along nicely with openers Mohd Hafeez (59) and Shahzaib Hasan (39) gave them a robust 82-run start in their quest for their third best-ever odi chase.

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.

"Exciting news! Mid-day is now on WhatsApp Channels