Achieving a 1-1 draw in a three-Test series was no mean feat for a Pakistan side which was dogged by misfortune from the moment they set foot on South African soil.

Having lost at home to the same opponents four months earlier, they travelled without star all-rounder Wasim Akram.

And their preparations for the first Test were disrupted when spinner Saqlain Mushtaq and pace bowler Mohammed Akram were mugged outside the team hotel.

Their hosts agreed to put back the start of the game in Johannesburg for 24 hours, but in the end it mattered little as rain had the final say in the outcome.

Tail-ender Symcox played a notable innings

Pakistan were led by Aamir Sohail, with official captain Rashid Latif unable to play because of injury.

They reduced South Africa to 166 for eight, Pakistan were then held up by Pat Symcox, whose innings of 108 was only the third century by a number 10 batsman in the history of Tests.

The home side totalled 364, but Pakistan only trailed by 35 on first innings as all-rounder Azhar Mahmood replied with a stylish 136.

The weather ruined the final two days and the match ended in a draw, with two sides moving on to Durban where Azhar continued his purple patch by scoring 132.

Pakistan's total of 259 was moderate, but paceman Shoaib Akhtar secured a slender 28-run lead by racin through the South African tail for figures of five for 43.

Shaun Pollock took six wickets in Pakistan's second innings but 118 by Saeed Anwar enabled them to set the home side a target of 255 for victory.

It proved beyond them as leg-spinner Mushtaq Ahmed claimed six for 78 to bowl his side to a 29-run triumph.

De Villiers bowled an inspired spell in Port Elizabeth

Pakistan were in good heart as the they took the field in Port Elizabeth, with Rashid back in charge, for the final match.

They were well satisfied after dismissing the home side for 293 - Waqar Younis taking six for 78 - but the tide turned thanks to some inspired bowling by Allan Donald and Fanie de Villiers.

Donald ripped out Pakistan's top four and de Villiers, who announced his retirement during the match, took six for 23 as Pakistan were all out for 106.

The home side totalled 206 for seven declared in their second innings, a lead of 393, and the match was effectively over by the end of day four.

By then, Pakistan had slumped to 120 for seven despite 55 from Saeed, and the last three wickets went down in only five overs on the final morning as they went down by 259 runs.

Waqar Younis was caught behind by Mark Boucher, his 18th dismissal of the series.