Pak whip SA bowlers

Pakistan’s previous highest total against South Africa was the 335 for six they scored in Port Elizabeth in 2002-03.

The total was Pakistan’s third highest against any opposition. Other weighty innings came from Younis Khan, who scored 93, Shahid Afridi, who was 77 not out, and Imran Nazir, who made 57.

Yousuf faced 111 balls and hit 12 fours in a relatively measured innings that contrasted sharply with the frenetic batting of some of his team mates.

The free-scoring Afridi reached his half-century off 20 balls, while Nazir, who played his first one-day international since July 2004, passed 50 in 32 balls.

In all, Afridi faced 35 balls and hit five fours and six sixes.

The South Africans bowled too short on a pitch that offered bounce but less pace than expected and the Pakistanis took full toll by smashing 35 fours and 11 sixes in their innings.

South Africa started well when Kamran Akmal offered no stroke to a delivery from medium pacer Shaun Pollock and was trapped in front for nought with just the fourth ball of the match.

Nazir and Khan soon put Pakistan on the front foot with a partnership of 79 off 66 balls. The stand was ended in the 12th over when fast bowler Charl Langeveldt dismissed a swinging Nazir leg-before.

Khan and Yousuf kept Pakistan on top with a stand that reached 124 before Khan lofted one of Graeme Smith’s off-spinners to long-on, where Langeveldt took the catch.