South Africa won the third one-day game of the series by 62 runs after Shaun Pollock and Makhaya Ntini ripped through the Pakistan batting order.

It had seemed an unlikely victory after South Africa, who won the toss and chose to bat first, were dismissed for 182.

The hosts, looking to bounce back from their worst ever defeat two days ago, were cut down with 2.8 overs remaining and defeat looked the likely outcome.

Shoaib Akhtar took three wickets on his return while Shahid Afridi proved very economical - with solid support from the other Pakistani bowlers.

Both Wasim Akram and Saqlain Mushtaq returned figures of two for 28.

Shoaib, who missed the first two matches of the series because of suspension and then illness, took the key wicket of opener Graeme Smith, caught behind for 44 in the 15th over.

It was the first three wickets to fall in as many overs as the brakes were applied to a solid start that had seen South Africa reach 70 for one in the 15th over.

Brief recovery

Saqlain followed up with the scalps of new batsmen Jacques Kallis, lbw for four, and Jonty Rhodes, pulling to deep midwicket for a duck.

A rebuilding job by Boeta Dippenaar and Mark Boucher was brought to a halt after a partnership of 48, when the wicket-keeper fell lbw to Shoaib.

Dippenaar perished three short of his half-century after a patient two-hour innings, offering a low return catch to the wrist-spinner.

All-rounders Andrew Hall and Lance Klusener fell cheaply and the lower order was soon polished off for 182.

Pollock finished 32 not out, unable to launch his usual late attack due to a complete lack of support.

Pakistan seemed to be in the driving seast but Pollock and Ntini had reduced them to 39-5 by the 13th over.

Allan Donald then took two wickets in consecutive balls to leave the visitors at 49-7 and they were finally all out for 120 after 36.2 overs.

South Africa: Herschelle Gibbs, Graeme Smith, Jacques Kallis, Jonty Rhodes, Boeta Dippenaar, Mark Boucher, Lance Klusener, Andrew Hall, Shaun Pollock (capt), Allan Donald, Makhaya Ntini.

Pakistan: Shahid Afridi, Salim Elahi, Yousuf Youhana, Inzamam-ul-Haq, Younis Khan, Abdur Razzaq, Rashid Latif, Wasim Akram, Saqlain Mushtaq, Waqar Younis (capt), Shoaib Akhtar.