Steyn spell finishes off Pakistan

FIRST TEST, KARACHI (day five): South Africa 450 & 264-7d bt Pakistan 291 & 263 by 160 runs

South Africa sealed an emphatic 160-run victory over Pakistan before tea on the final day of the first Test in Karachi.

Resuming on 146-3 in search of 424, Younus Khan clipped Andre Nel to the boundary to seal his 13th Test century in the fourth over of the morning.

Nightwatchman Mohammad Asif looped to short-leg before Dale Steyn took the key wicket of Younus, beaten by reverse swing and playing down the wrong line.

Paceman Steyn finished with 5-56 as Pakistan were dismissed for 263.

Pakistan needed Younus to bat all day if they were going to threaten a target six runs higher than the world record 418 scored by West Indies against Australia in 2003.

But after he recorded his first century against South Africa and his first in the second innings of a Test, he was dismissed after almost four hours at the crease by one that kept a shade low.

Steyn took his team to the brink of victory by removing tailenders Abdul Rehman and Umar Gul with the second new ball to notch his third five-wicket Test haul.

Skipper Shoaib Malik was the final wicket to fall when he top-edged Makhaya Ntini.

It was Pakistan's second defeat in 40 Tests at the National Stadium and only the second time South Africa had won a Test in Pakistan.

"To win in the sub-continent in meaningful and this victory ranks up there for me as a Test captain," South Africa's Graeme Smith said.

"The boys have really worked hard for this one and it was a pretty emotional moment for us out there."

Malik looked forward to heavy hitters Inzamam-ul-Haq and Mohammad Yousuf returning to his side for the second and final Test beginning on Monday.

"It was disappointing to lose, but I hope we would bounce back with them returning to the side," he said.

Coach Geoff Lawson, meanwhile, backed Malik to develop into an excellent captain, having succeeded Inzamam following the World Cup earlier this year.

"He's a young captain and he is learning. He did some really good things out there. He did some things we will also discuss.

"He's a young man finding his way in a country that expects a lot from its leaders. With the bat, he batted like a leader. He's going to get better and better," Lawson commented.