Published: Nov 12, 2013, 03:07 PM (IST)
Edited: Nov 12, 2013, 03:07 PM (IST)
AB de Villiers led from the front in South Africa’s 117-run win over Pakistan © AFP
Nov 12, 2013
South Africa captain AB de Villiers said victory in the one-day series against Pakistan is a step in the right direction before the World Cup, to be jointly hosted by Australia and New Zealand.
The captain, who hit an unbeaten 115 on Monday, said the victory had lifted the Proteas after their 4-1 loss in Sri Lanka in July.
“We really hit an all-time low in Sri Lanka and moving up from there is pleasing to me and the coaching staff and the whole team,” he said.
Batting was tough on a slow Sharjah stadium pitch.
“It was one of the harder innings that I have played up until 60-70 runs. It was bloody difficult,” he said.
“Facing (Mohammad) Irfan there — he was beating the bat — was difficult. Saeed Ajmal was bowling well and [Shahid] Afridi bowled an amazing spell and I felt I couldn’t get the ball off the square.
“But once I hit a couple in the middle in the 42 and 43rd overs it felt really good and I took my opportunity and followed through nicely,” De Villiers said of his 102-ball knock studded with ten boundaries and three sixes.
The teams now play two Twenty20s in Dubai on Wednesday and Friday.
Pakistan vs South Africa — Live on Ten Cricket
