Led by the veteran Shoaib Malik, Pakistan registered a thumping eight-wicket win over South Africa in the fourth one-day international at the Wanderers Stadium on Sunday (January 27). The result levelled the five-match series at 2-2.

It was South Africa’s first defeat in eight matches in ‘Pink Day’ ODI as well. In this match, the Proteas players and many spectators dressed in pink in aid of breast cancer awareness.

Pakistan's bowlers set up the win by bundling out South Africa for 164. Riding on Imam-ul-Haq’s 71, the visitors chased down the paltry target with 111 balls to spare.

Addressing the press conference after the match, Proteas skipper Faf du Plessis said: “It was obviously a disappointing day and we pride ourselves on playing good cricket on this day in front of the Wanderers crowd, but unfortunately it was average cricket by us and Pakistan were very good today. Pakistan have been a bit more consistent than us in this series, their bowling attack is on it all the time and they’ve had their opener bat through just about every time, which makes it a lot easier."

“In every game one or two of our departments have been very inconsistent, but that’s what happens when you have a lot of new guys come in. But you only get better and learn by not doing things right in certain situations. I’m certainly picking up valuable lessons and it’s becoming very clear about the balance we need,” he added.

That balance largely depends on whether South Africa’s first-choice attack is available. With Lungi Ngidi out due to injury and the veteran Dale Steyn being rested for the first two ODIs, South Africa’s World Cup preparations have also taken a knock.

“If we have Lungi Ngidi, Kagiso Rabada and Dale Steyn all in our attack then it’s an option to just play six batsmen. But if one of them is not there, then we need to relook the six-batsmen strategy. It’s pretty obvious to me that we possibly need another batsman or all-rounder,” Du Plessis admitted.

“But we’re still very positive and we need to make sure that we are still looking at our vision going forward. We probably need to change the combination when we don’t have the bowlers we want.”

The series-deciding fifth and final ODI will be played in Cape Town on Wednesday (January 30).