The former vice-captain shared an unbroken second wicket partnership of 285 on Sunday with Chris Gayle and Sarwan, who was recording his eighth Test century, said the team's critics didn't know what they were talking about.

"Obviously, the people who are making the criticisms do not know the kind of hard work we have been doing behind closed doors," he said.

"I can't find words to explain how hard we have been working in the last few months. People are free to say what they wish. They will have their own opinions, but it's incumbent upon us to go out there and perform."

Even though South Africa hold an unassailable 2-0 series lead, Sarwan believes that his partnership with Gayle can be the catalyst to lift the confidence of the side.

They have a series of five One-day Internationals against the Proteas, before a series of three ODIs and two Tests against Pakistan.

"The key for us is to play like a team, something which we have not done a lot in the recent times," he said.

"Just looking at the series, except for that partnership between Wavell Hinds and Shivnarine Chanderpaul at Georgetown, there have been flashes of individual brilliance.

"So it is good to see that we can have a partnership like this. We need to see more of it in our batting, and even in our bowling, so that we can be more competitive."