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South Africa Hit Back

Wednesday, October 8 2003

A strong Pakistani effort was ecllipsed by South Africa in a game affected by bad light during the closing overs at Faisalabad.

Pakistan, who had the upper hand leading the series 2-0 got off to a relatively strong start whilst batting first. Talented young openers, Yasir Hameed and Mohammad Hafeez registered a 50 run opening stand before Hafeez was dismissed for 20 off the bowling of Andrew Hall.

Captain, Yousuf Youhana didn't last long either, after a flurry of three boundaries, the stylish Youhana was dismissed for 18 off Makhaya Ntini's bowling. Yasir Hameed meanwhile was in stellar touch, bringing up another superb half century.

With the score at 2/128, Yasir fell for a 72, off the bowling of Robin Peterson. Younis Khan (9) fell shortly to Peterson as South Africa were back in the game once more. Faisal Iqbal and Shoaib Malik guided Pakistan to 4/169, before Faisal was caught behind for 22, off Andrew Nel's bowling.

Aggressive all rounder, Abdul Razzaq ensured Pakistan reached a competitive score with a 38 ball 46* which included four boundaries. Razzaq and the rest of the Pakistani lower order guided Pakistan to a final score of 8/243 from their 50 overs.

South Africa got off to a solid start chasing a reasonably competitive score despite the early loss of Herschelle Gibbs (4) who was caught behind off Shoaib Akhtar's bowling. Captain, Graeme Smith and the ever reliable Jacques Kallis led South Africa on the course to victory.

The two put together a 100 run partnership with Smith and Kallis notching up their respective half centuries. With the score at 110, Smith fell for 51 off Abdul Razzaq's bowling. Kallis (62) fell next, cleaned up by a Shoaib Akhtar delivery.

Rudolph (46) and Boucher (24) ensured that the South African run rate still had decent momentum. During the 45th over with South Africa at 6/221, bad light interfered and play closed off. In comparison to Pakistan, South Africa had a sufficient run rate and score.

With play called off, South Africa exceeded the 209 runs which were required of them in the 45th over, and by the D/L method, South Africa won the match by 13 runs and are still in with a chance in the ODI series.


Brief Score Summary:

Pakistan: 8/243 (Yasir Hameed 72, Razzaq 46*, Ntini 3/45, Peterson 2/36)

Revised Target: 209 from 45 overs

South Africa: 6/221 in 45 overs (Kallis 62, Smith 51, Shoaib Akhtar 3/31, Mohammad Hafeez 1/25, Razzaq 1/27)

Cricket Web Player of the Match: Jacques Kallis (SAF)

Posted by Sangrah