Dubai: South Africa's opener Hashim Amla displayed his magnificent form at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium during the third One-day match against Pakistan Tuesday when he made his fifth century this year.

His current form started in May with a century against West Indies in Antigua. From the 13 innings this year Amla has piled up 986 runs.

But for Amla's unbeaten 119 off 126 balls studded with nine boundaries, South Africa could not have posted the challenging total 228 for 9 in 50 overs.

Amla is the first South African of Indian descent to reach the national team.

Yesterday he batted fearlessly despite Shoaib Akhtar bowling at his best to bag three wickets.

The Dubai International Cricket Stadium produced its usual drama and a large crowd, despite being a working day turned up to watch the action.

Akhtar once again showed what a deadly bowler he can be with the new ball. Though many have written him off, the pace he can still generate is deadly.

Jacques Kallis, one of the finest batsmen in the game, was beaten by his slow cutter to be clean bowled for a duck.

Akhtar once again produced a beauty when he caught and bowled the in-form Colin Ingram.

Deadly spell

Pakistan had always looked deadly whenever Akhtar had struck. Two wickets down for 15 runs in 4.4 overs was indeed a great start for Pakistan who had won the toss and elected to field.

The crowd enjoyed him making the batsmen hop to his bouncers. Despite his mavericks he is still the crowd's favourite.

Unfortunately for Akhtar, he got no support from the other end.

AB de Villiers and Amla put on 42 runs for the third wicket. Hardly had the Akhtar drama ended when another began.

Skipper Shahid Afridi drew de Villiers out with a flighted delivery and had him stumped by wicket keeper Zulqarnain Haider.

The television replay showed that de Villiers was well inside the crease when the bails were removed but television umpire Zameer Haider stunned everyone with his out verdict.

Many at the ground felt that he unknowingly pressed the wrong button.

Mohammad Hafeez entered the stage with his elegant off spin maintaining a good line and length. He had Jean Paul Duminy caught behind while attempting to play square of the wicket. Next man David Miller got clean bowled to a beautiful quicker one from Hafeez.

In his second stint, Akhtar tested Amla's patience with bouncers and his usual stare. By the 35th over South Africa were 143 for 5 needing some big hits from the rest of the batsmen. After Afridi removed Albie Morkel, it fell on Amla's shoulders.