Steyn powers Proteas win

Dale Steyn © Getty Images

Dale Steyn bowled South Africa to victory in the first Test against Pakistan. The 24-year-old paceman took 5-56 as the Proteas dismissed the home side for 263 in their second innings to clinch a 160-run win in Karachi.

Pakistan were chasing what would have been a world record victory target of 424 but fell apart once Younus Khan was dismissed for 126.

The hosts started the final day of what was an intriguing game on 146 for three and still harboured hopes of reaching the landmark total, especially with Younus going strong.

But their chances suffered a fatal blow when he was bowled by Steyn, with a ball which kept low, after he had completed his 13th Test ton.

With nightwatchman Mohammad Asif having also departed earlier in the morning session, Pakistan went to lunch on 230 for five.

They required a further 194 runs to win with five wickets remaining - a task which, although not impossible, was looking increasingly unlikely.

And they suffered a further setback four balls after the restart when Misbah-ul-Haq was trapped leg before wicket by Andre Nel for 23.

His dismissal prompted a flurry of wickets as South Africa ran through the tail.

Kamran Akmal, Abdur Rehman and Umar Gul failed to reach double figures - Steyn accounting for the latter two - while captain Shoaib Malik was the last man to go after battling his way to 30.

South Africa can expect a tougher encounter when the second Test gets under way on October 8 as the hosts have recalled Mohammad Yousuf and Inzamam-ul-Haq to their squad.

It will be Inzamam’s final Test before retirement and should prove an emotionally-charged occasion in Lahore.