Tahir, Steyn crush Zim

Leg-spinner Imran Tahir took six wickets including a hattrick as South Africa crushed Zimbabwe by 120 runs in the second one-day international at the Mangaung Oval in Bloemfontein yesterday.

The 27-year-old cleaned the Zimbabwe lower-and-middle order to stifle the run-chase as the visitors were bowled out for 78 in 24 overs chasing a challenging target of 199.

Earlier, Dale Steyn shone with the bat on his return to ODI cricket, helping South Africa to 198 with a career-best 60. The veteran fast bowler came in to bat with South Africa reeling at 101 for seven.

He and Andile Phehlukwayo (28) added 75 for the eighth wicket, a record for South Africa against Zimbabwe, and Steyn went on to take the hosts past their all-time low of 185 against the neighbouring country. Playing in his first one-day international in two years, Steyn hit eight fours and a six in an 85-ball innings.

The fast bowler later dismissed both Zimbabwe openers before Tahir cleaned up the rest of the batting.