Century for Ingram against Pakistan

BLOEMFONTEIN: Colin Ingram hit an unbeaten century as South Africa piled up 315 for four in the first one-day international against Pakistan at Chevrolet Park on Sunday.

The left-handed Ingram made 105 not out off 103 balls with ten fours. It was his third one-day international century and his second against Pakistan.

He shared partnerships of 120 for the third wicket with captain AB de Villiers (65), 62 for the fourth wicket with Faf du Plessis (26) and 50 off only 23 balls with Farhaan Behardien, who hammered 34 not out off 14 deliveries.

Graeme Smith and Hashim Amla set an aggressive tone with an opening partnership of 72 after South Africa were sent in, with both batsmen going for their shots against Junaid Khan and Umar Gul despite the Pakistan new ball bowlers getting some early assistance from the pitch.

The South Africans opted for the batting power play immediately after the compulsory first ten overs but lost Smith when he gloved an attempted reverse sweep to be caught behind off Saeed Ajmal, one of four spin bowlers in the six-man bowling attack, for 30.

Amla made 43 before he was caught at deep square leg off Mohammad Hafeez.

De Villiers and Ingram then set South Africa on the way to a big total with a run-a-ball stand during which they kept the score moving quickly against the Pakistan spin bowlers with deft placement and good running between wickets.