Replacement Hall takes four wickets to limit Pakistan

PORT ELIZABETH, South Africa, Feb 9 (Reuters) South African Andrew Hall took four wickets to restrict Pakistan to a mediocre score in the rain-affected third one-day international today.

Pakistan hit 245 for eight after winning the toss and choosing to bat. Rain interrupted play after 47 overs and again at the end the innings with one ball left unbowled.

Medium pacer Hall took four for 35 after replacing fast bowler Andre Nel, who was left out because of stitches in a cut on his foot.

Pakistan looked on course to score a more challenging total before they slumped from 162 for four to 175 for seven in the space of 12 deliveries.

Fast bowler Makhaya Ntini removed openers Imran Nazir and Kamran Akmal in quick succession as Pakistan slipped to 21 for two in the sixth over.

The visitors were reduced to 71 for four in the 21st over after Hall had Younis Khan caught behind by wicketkeeper Mark Boucher for 22 and trapped Inzamam-ul-Haq in front for one.

Mohammad Yousuf and Shoaib Malik consolidated with a decent stand before Malik, who scored 41, top-edged a pull stroke off fast bowler Jacques Kallis and was caught by AB de Villiers at mid-wicket.

Yousuf pushed forward to a delivery from Ntini and edged a catch to Boucher to be dismissed for 79.

The dangerous Shahid Afridi was dismissed eight balls after that for eight when he miscued a pull off Hall and sent a catch to Herschelle Gibbs at point.

Abdul Razzaq and Azhar Mahmood seemed to be putting the innings back on track, but with their partnership worth 41 Hall had Razzaq caught behind by Boucher for 27.

REUTERS DKS BST0115