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Pakistan vs South Africa

Saturday, October 4 2003

Pakistan vs South Africa, 1st One Day International,
Gaddafi Stadium, Lahore
3rd October 2003

Today is the first day of the rest of your life, is what South African captain Graeme Smith could have been saying to his squad before the start of today's game. After completing the tour to England, which went horribly wrong again, Smith would be hoping that his squad could travel to Pakistan and put in performances which would make sure his team do not regain the title of chokers which has started to circulate again in the press. A comfortable 8 wicket victory against a City Nazim XI saw them on their way and in confident mood ahead of today's game.

Pakistan won the toss and new captain Inzamam-ul-Haq decided to bat, possibly hoping to accumulate a large total and put South Africa under pressure as early as possible. Openers Mohammad Hafeez and Yasir Hameed looked to dominate from ball one, Shaun Pollock using his vast experience to keep the scoring down while new ball partner Makhaya Ntini showed his lack of one-day variation and conceded 26 runs in 3 overs before being taken out of the bowling attack altogether.

It wasn't all doom and gloom for South African though as Pollock struck with the new ball in the 5th over. A sloppy shot off the hips by Hafeez saw the ball fly to Boeta Dippenaar at square leg and an easy catch was completed. Pakistan then consolidated with Yousuf Youhana joining Hameed as the score ticked over steadily and crept up towards one hundred. With Hameed reaching his half century Pakistan looked to be preparing for a mid-innings surge but some quick work by the South African skipper at mid-on, as well as ball watching by Youhana, resulted in Hameed being run out at the wicket keepers end for 56.

With the total on exactly one hundred Pakistan would be looking to move forward in a positive fashion without taking unnecessary risks. A responsible partnership between the experienced pair of Youhana and Younis Khan allowed Pakistan to add a further 42 runs before another piece of indecisive running allowed South Africa to pick up another easy wicket. Khan, run out by a sprightly Robin Peterson, couldn't get back in time and wicket-keeper Mark Boucher completed the run out.

With the fall of Youhana in the 39th over and a total of 167, South Africa could have begun to think this was a job well done so far. An attempted glide down to third man resulted in an edge to keeper Boucher rather than a single and a timely wicket for South Africa ahead of the final overs.

In hindsight Graeme Smith would have preferred Youhana working the singles rather than what was to follow. Shoaib Malik joined new captain ul-Haq and after a couple of overs to settle in launched a thrilling counter-attack, resulting in seven sixes, eight fours and close to one hundred runs being scored by the pair in the final 10 overs. Ul-Haq finally fell to Kallis, bowled for a run-a-ball 37. Malik finished unbeaten on 82 off 46 deliveries, his innings characterized by his fearlessness and power. Setting himself up with a wide stance, clearing his left leg out the way and getting down on one knee as often as possible. Malik made short work of South Africa's bowlers at the death, bludgeoning five sixes and two fours in the final two overs of the innings.

At the completion of their 50 overs, Pakistan had totaled 277 runs at a run rate of 5.54. A difficult target but well within South Africa's abilities on a good batting wicket and trademark long batter order.

A steady start would have been what South Africa would have been looking for. They got just that with captain Smith and makeshift opener Dippenaar, replacing an injured Gibbs, progressing through the initial overs without much trouble. Neither opening bowler was particularly expensive and South Africa managed to keep up the run rate without much risk. Shoaib Akhtar started the innings with a wayward over, reaching speeds of over 150 kph but losing control and conceding three wides in the over.

Smith led the way with crunching leg side play and continued aggressively leaving Dippenaar to consolidate and provide the anchor for the South African reply. This tactic proved successful and the score was taken to 138 before the first wicket fell. Ul-Haq brought Akhtar back onto bowl and was rewarded with the wicket of Smith who gently chipped the ball to ul-Haq himself at mid-on. Even better yet for Pakistan, Akhtar rushed the usually unflappable Jaques Kallis and had him playing on for one. The loss of two quick wickets meant Neil McKenzie had to be cautious, while Dippenaar continued his usual game, rotating the strike and providing support.

After a slow start McKenzie found his form but South Africa were always behind the run-rate after the loss of Smith and Kallis in quick succession. A partnership of 101 between McKenzie and Dippenaar saw the tourists to within 36 runs of an improbable win. Ul-Haq again turned to his wicket taker Akhtar, and he delivered, taking the wicket of McKenzie for a run a ball 62, caught by Mohammad Hafeez.

The South African run chase soon began to stumble forward. Mark Boucher, Shaun Pollock and Jacques Rudolph managed four runs between the three of them as lots of runs at a quick rate became a priority. Dippenaar failed to be dispirited by the demise of his team-mates and stroked Akhtar for two boundaries in the 49th over, bringing up an excellent hundred at the same time. Needing 13 runs off the final over, South Africa could only scramble 5 runs, leaving them 8 runs short of victory.

While it may seem South Africa threw away victory with a seemingly loose bowling performance at the end of the first innings, credit must go to Shoaib Malik for his aggressive nature and positive attitude. While the South African team will feel disappointed to have lost, aspects of their play was excellent and perhaps a bit more professionalism was required to turn certain key match moments into positive situations.

Result: Pakistan def South Africa by 8 runs.
Pakistan: 277/6 (Yousuf Youhana 68, Shoaib Malik 82*, Kallis 10-1-53-2)
South Africa: 269/6 (HH Dippenaar 110*, ND McKenzie 62, Shoaib Akhtar 10-0-49-4)

Posted by Rupert