*Official* Pakistan v South Africa in Dubai

[TT Boy]

Now approaching the last 300 balls of the game. Need at least two breakthroughs with the new ball and a Pak implosion to win. Bouch will rue putting Khan down, would have been the early blow South Africa needed.

 

[TT Boy]

Pretty ****ing frustrating and Pak could win this. 217 needed from 47 overs...

 

[smash84]

216 runs required in 46 overs and 7 wickets in hand. Had any of the top 5 teams batting line-ups been playing I would have said that the target is doable on this pitch

 

[Howe_zat]

Younis smashes 3 fours in an over off Steyn, he's in the mood for chasing.

...And Kallis drops him.



Fixing?

 

[M0rphin3]

Pathetic fielding offlate by the Saffers. Pakis can win this tbh, they got Ukmal to come.

 

[smash84]

yeah but they won't try to win coz if they lose just one more wicket a collapse might be in the offing. They will try to play defensive cricket here. Retreat today to fight another day.

 

[TT Boy]

Steyn has been very unlucky today, another day could have had 3 to 4 wickets. Morne is South Africa's Andy Caddick, doesn't seem to turn up second innings. He is bowling gun barrel. Give Steyn two more overs and then spin to the draw.

 

[smash84]

it's not a sraw yet. Never underestimate Pak's ability to collapse when all seems well. Remember SL 09???

 

[Briony]

Given that SA was only two down, you wonder if Kallis, Amla and the batsmen to follow could not have scored more quickly to give SA more time and more runs to play with.

Maybe though their bowling and fielding is simply not up to it. Pakistan's bowling was found wanting as well. SA used to have a good cordon - things have been poor in that region of late for them.

 

[Jono]

Nice to see the apparently great South African fielding once again fail them.

 

[Howe_zat]

250 up for Pakistan.

Amla and Kallis's batting was not the issue. If they'd taken their catches the match would be all but over.

 

[morgieb]

Steyn has been very unlucky today, another day could have had 3 to 4 wickets. Morne is South Africa's Andy Caddick, doesn't seem to turn up second innings. He is bowling gun barrel. Give Steyn two more overs and then spin to the draw.

WTF? Caddick was awesome in the 2nd innings but dire in 1st innings.

 

[Jono]

Haha yeah, think TT was confused there.

 

[Briony]

Hard to know which attack is the most impotent - SL, SA, NZ or India. None of these bowlers look like taking wickets. Bring back the great fast bowlers!

 

[Jono]

Pretty sure WI will look awful vs. SL once WI decide to declare as well.

 

[Briony]

Pretty sure WI will look awful vs. SL once WI decide to declare as well.

Yes add them to the mix against the SL flat track bullies. Poor
Gayle might miss out on a chance for Lara's record though with wickets falling.

 

[vcs]

Pak to go for the win?

 

[Jono]

Haha obviously they can't, but it would be awesome if they tried.

 

[Howe_zat]

I'm not sure they can't...

Younis brings up his 100 with a 6, Misbah does likewise to get 50, what a stand.

Pakistan need 167 in the last session with seven wickets remaining. Not impossible. It would be truly epic.

 

[Jono]

167 off 180 in test cricket is nigh on impossible.

South Africa could easily just set defensive fields.