The Proteas’ bowling attack again did a superb job in restricting Pakistan to 120/9 in their 20 overs after the home side had won the toss.
Lonwabo Tsotsobe was again superb up front in taking 2/20 and Rusty Theron closed down the back of the innings, taking 3 wickets in the last over to finish with 4/27 from his 4 overs. It was a performance that earned him the man of the match award.
The Proteas had Pakistan on the ropes at 39/5 before Misbah-ul-Haq (33 off 38 balls) and Abdul Razzaq (25 off 29 balls) led a recovery.
The Proteas made a slow reply as wickets fell at regular intervals against the Pakistan spin attack for whom captain Shahid Afridi took an outstanding 1/13 in 4 overs.
Graeme Smith was dismissed for 38 (42 balls) and then Colin Ingram took charge with a crucial knock of 31 off 17 balls (4 fours and a six).
It left JP Duminy and David Miller requiring 11 off the last 3 overs and in the end the Proteas won by 6 wickets with 8 balls to spare.
Gerald Majola, CSA CEO, said: “All credit must go to Johan Botha and the Standard Bank International Pro20 Proteas for clinching a 2-0 series victory over Pakistan in the UAE tonight.
“It is most encouraging that these victories are coming with outstanding contributions of young players such as Lonwabo Tsotsobe, Colin Ingram, Rusty Theron and David Miller.
“They are being backed by established players such as AB de Villiers and Hashim Amla, currently the number one and two respectively in the ICC ODI batting ratings.
“All this bodes well for the Proteas’ preparation for the 2010/11 season which includes the ICC World Cup early next year in India, Sri Lanka and Bangladesh”.
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Wednesday's match was not accompanied by the usual entertainment as a mark of respect following the death of Sheikh Saqr bin Mohammed Al Qassimi, the ruler of Ras Al Khaimah, one of seven emirates that make up the United Arab Emirates.
The two teams will now play a five-match one-day international series, the first two matches will in Abu Dhabi and the remaining three in Dubai.
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Line-ups
Pakistan: Shahid Afridi (captain), Shahzaib Hasan, Imran Farhat, Mohammad Hafeez, Umar Akmal, Misbah-ul-Haq, Abdul Razzaq, Zulqarnain Haider, Umar Gul, Saeed Ajmal, Shoaib Akhtar.
South Africa: Johan Botha (captain), Graeme Smith, Loots Bosman, AB de Villiers, JP Duminy, Colin Ingram, David Miller, Albie Morkel, Morne Morkel, Rusty Theron and Lonwabo Tsotsobe.