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South Africa clinch the Cool & Cool Cup

Pakistan, who were stunned by the news that their wicketkeeper Zulqarnain Hyder was missing from the team hotel since Monday morning, were outclassed by South Africans, who sealed the five-match series 3-2.

By evening, it was confirmed that Haider, who played a crucial knock in Pakistan’s one-wicket victory in the fourth one-dayer, arrived at the Heathrow Airport in London. However, Hyder’s replacement, Umar Akmal played well by scoring a 70-ball 60, including three sixes and one four.

Chasing 318 for victory, Pakistan were bowled out for 260 in the 45^th over.

It eventually turned out to be a perfect day for Kallis, who became the sixth batsmen to score 11,000 or more runs in ODIs on Monday, took three wickets after scoring 83.

When Kallis reached 81, he completed 11,000 one-day runs in his 307^th match. India’s Sachin Tendulkar (17,598), Sri Lanka’s Sanath Jayasuriya (13,428), Australia’s Ricky Ponting (13,082), Pakistan’s Inzamamul Haq (11,739) and India’s Sourav Ganguly (11,363) were the others to cross the 11,000-run mark.

Both Kallis and spinner Robin Peterson bagged three wickets each, while Dale Steyn returned with figures of 2-47.

Pakistan started their chase in a promising fashion when the opening duo Mohammad Hafeez and Shahzaib Hasan added 82 runs in 12.2 overs, but a triple strike from Kallis brought South Africa back into the match.

Hasan, who made 39 runs from 42 balls, smashed six fours before giving a tame catch to Morkel at mid-on in Kallis’ second over. Kallis then sent back Younis Khan and Mohammad Yousuf cheaply, giving South Africans the upper hand. Hafeez gave life to the Pakistan innings, hitting seven fours in his delightful 59 from 58 balls, but Johan Botha took his wicket and provided a timely breakthrough.

However, the 47-run sixth wicket partnership between captain Shahid Afridi and Akmal lifted the spirits of Pakistan fans, but Robin Peterson took the crucial wicket of Afridi in the 31^st over.

A 60–run seventh wicket partnership between Akmal and Abdul Razzaq kept alive Pakistan’s hopes but Akmal hit a Dale Steyn-full toss directly to captain Graeme Smith at extra cover in the 41^st over. South Africans started their celebrations when Razzaq, after making 40, departed in Lonwabo Tsotsobe’s ninth over.

Earlier, half-centuries from Kallis, Hashim Amla, AB de Villiers and JP Duminy helped South Africa post 317 for 5 in 50 overs. The 121-run third wicket partnership between de Villiers and Kallis gave them a perfect launching pad with the Duminy-Botha combination exploding later with a sparkling sixth-wicket partnership of 89.

South Africa started with a flourish, with the Amla-Smith duo adding 37 runs in just five overs. Kallis joined Amla, who was in splendid form, making 62 from 47 balls. Amla, who scored a patient century in the third one-dayer here, was in an attacking mood this time, smashing nine fours and one six before being dismissed by Afridi in the 15^th over. Kallis was well on his way to 17^th century, but a brilliant catch by Wahab Riaz at short third man off Afridi’s bowling, sent him back for 83 runs.

De Villiers made a good contribution, hitting 61 from 72 balls with the help of five fours. Duminy, who had an ordinary series so far, chose the right moment to hit back form. He, along with Botha, took 64 off the last five overs, to help South Africa cross 300 with ease. Duminy remained not out on 59 from 41 balls, while Botha made an unbeaten 28.

Afridi got two wickets, but proved a bit costly as his 10 overs went for 59. Part-time spinner Hafeez picked up one wicket in this match as well and completed his 10-over spell. South Africans, however, reserved some special treatment for Shoaib Akthar, who was thrashed for 77 from his seven overs. It would have been the worst mauling in the pacer’s one-day international career. Akthar, who bowled brilliantly throughout the series, was a bit off colour on Monday. Fellow pacer Riaz, who also bowled effectively in the series, was also treated with contempt as he gave away 64 from his eight overs. Abdur Rehman, though went wicket-less, finished with respectable figures of 33 from 10 overs.