South Africa v Pakistan

At East London, December 13, 2002 (day/night). South Africa won by 62 runs. Toss: South Africa.

Pollock played the lead role in a show with more drama than quality. In his first game of the series, Shoaib Akhtar bowled as fast as ever and his threat was unmistakably responsible for the steady fall of wickets - not just at his own end. However, there were some very ordinary shots. Dippenaar tried to hold things together with an obdurate 47, and Pollock scored a composed 32, but the innings never caught fire. Early wickets were crucial to defend a modest 182, and South Africa succeeded spectacularly, snaring five within 13 overs. As the evening dew settled, Pollock swung and seamed the ball prodigiously, while Ntini was fast and intimidating. From a hopeless 55 for eight, Wasim Akram and Waqar Younis gave the total a veneer of respectability without suggesting a miraculous resurrection. Boucher, behind the stumps, and Kallis, razor-sharp in the slips, clung on to three catches each.

Man of the Match: S. M. Pollock. Attendance: 9,059.