Afridi confident Pakistan can beat South Africa

DUBAI: Dashing all-rounder Shahid Afridi on Sunday showed confidence Pakistan can pull off a one-day series win despite the return of Hashim Amla and Dale Steyn in the South African squad for the last three matches.

Afridi starred with 3-26 to add to his 20-ball 26 in Pakistan's comprehensive 66-run win in the second day-night international in Dubai on Friday which levelled the five-match series at 1-1.

Pakistan spurned a golden opportunity to win the first match in Sharjah on Wednesday, going down by one run from a winning position.

But Afridi, 33, said the way their bowlers were performing Pakistan can win the series.

"There is no doubt Amla and Steyn will strengthen South Africa but the way our bowlers are doing, I am sure we can beat South Africa," Afridi told reporters.

Amla reteuned to Dubai on Sunday after missing the second Test and the first two one-day games due to the birth of his child back home.

Steyn is likely to join the squad in time for the third match in Abu Dhabi on Wednesday after returning home for a rest before the one-day series.

The fourth match will also be played in Abu Dhabi on Friday while the fifth and final match will be held in Sharjah on November 11.

The teams will also play two Twenty20 internationals in Dubai on November 13 and 15.

Besides Afridi, off-spinner Saeed Ajmal took 2-15 and paceman Mohammad Irfan claimed 3-53 in the second match.

Afridi brushed aside criticism of failing to guide Pakistan to a win when only 19 runs were needed when he walked into bat in the first match.

"I got a bad ball which I hit and got out, it could have been a six," said Afridi who made only nine in that match.

"It's not Afridi versus South Africa, its Pakistan versus South Africa," said Afridi, who so far has 365 wickets in 364 matches.

He also has 7,395 runs, including a world record 37-ball hundred made against Sri Lanka in 1996.

Afridi said he was enjoying being part of Pakistan's squad.

"I am enjoying the game," said Afridi, who is also a former captain.

"This current team is a mix of seniors and juniors and I am feeling younger with each passing day," he said.

Afridi said he hoped Pakistan's batting will click in the remaining matches.

"The batting needs to be improved, its a matter of applying ourselves, like the way Ahmed Shehzad is playing, so I am sure improvement will come," said Afridi.

Shehzad scored 58 each in both the matches. (AFP)

Shamsur leads Bangladesh to clean sweep over NZ

FATULLAH, Bangladesh: Shamsur Rahman led Bangladesh to a stunning victory over New Zealand on Sunday, chasing down more than 300 to complete a 3-0 sweep of the one-day international series.

Shamsur's 96 rocketed the home side to 309-6, steaming past New Zealand's 307 with four balls and four wickets to spare at the packed Khan Shaheb Osman Ali stadium at Fatullah just outside Dhaka.

The 25-year-old opener hit seven fours and four sixes in his 107-ball knock as Bangladesh successfully chased down a 300-plus total for only the second time in their playing history.

Shamsur, playing only his second one-day international, fell short of what would have been a well- deserved century when his attempted drive off a Corey Anderson delivery became an edge and flew to wicketkeeper Luke Ronchi.

Naeem Islam continued to lead the charge after Shamsur's departure before he was run out for 63 after facing 74 balls.

Nasir Hossain (44 not out) stayed till the end to ensure Bangladesh never lost their way in the chase on the batting-friendly pitch.

Earlier, Ross Taylor hit his eighth one-day century as New Zealand posted their highest total in the series.

The visitors were desperate to avoid another humiliating whitewash, after their previous one-day series against Bangladesh.

Taylor, who was part of the New Zealand squad that lost 4-0 to Bangladesh in 2010, remained unbeaten on 107 while Colin Munro made 85 to give the tourists what looked like a fighting chance.

Taylor and Munro put on 130 for the fourth wicket after Mushfiqur won the toss and elected to bowl at the Fatullah ground, which was hosting its first international match for seven years.

Anton Devcich (46) and Tom Latham (43) had given New Zealand a decent start with a 66-run opening stand. But Bangladesh struck back soon afterwards through their spinners to reduce the visitors to 101-3.

Munro, playing his first match in the series, led the initial charge to complete his fifty before he fell to off-spinner Mahmudullah.

The two teams will now play a Twenty20 International on Wednesday in Dhaka before New Zealand fly to Sri Lanka for an ODI and Twenty20 series. (AFP)