Pool B: South Africa Vs Pakistan played at Auckland, New Zealand. Pakistan 222 All Out ( Misbah Ul Haq 56 , Sarfraz Ahmed 49, Younis Khan 27, Shahid Afridi 22 , Dale Steyn 3/30, M Morkel 2/25, K Abott 2/45) beat South Africa 202 All Out (AB de Villiers 77, Hashim Amla 38, F du Plessis 27, Rahat Ali 3/40, Wahab Riaz 3/45, Mohammad Irfan 3/52) by 29 runs (D/L Method)

In a low scoring keenly contested match Pakistan, tagged as ‘cornered tigers’, got the better off favorite South Africa in a rain curtailed match at Auckland by 29 runs.

Batting first Pakistan could manage 222 which appeared at least 30 runs short. But their four prongs pace bowling attack made life very difficult for the strong South African batting line up. Only AB de Villiers ploughed in the sand but could not take his team on the shore.

This win took almost assured Pakistan of a quarter final berth. Like 1992 World Cup, Pakistan is again pulling up their socks at the right stage of the tournament.

The history is repeating and who knows what this ever unpredictable team can do in the business session. It was a shocker for South Africa. The team that recorded two scores above 400 in the world cup failed to chase a moderate 222. Chokers have started choking.

It was a dream debut for Pakistan wicket keeper Sarfraz Ahmed who entered record book with six dismissals behind the wicket and scored a courageous 49-run against, arguably, the best bowling attack.

He was rightly chosen as the man of the match. AB de Villiers on the other hand was the lone warrior for the vanquished. He stood like the rock of Gibraltar against very hostile and probing Pakistan pace attack. But he had very little support from the other end. Finally his best efforts were not enough.

The target became 232 for South Africa to be scored in 47 overs in D/L method after a brief shower interfered. South Africa could manage 202 in 33.4 overs. Mohammad Irfan, Wahab Riaz and Rahat Ali bowled very fast and accurate on a juicy wicket and took three wickets each. Sohail Khan took the all-important wicket of ABD.

Pakistan lost their first two matches against India and West Indies convincingly. The team came under severe criticism at home by ex-test players. But deep in their heart they had resolve. They had history in their favor. Imran Khan’s world cup winning team was in even worse condition before they turned around. This Pakistan team is little thin in batting but the bowling looks among the best and is getting better after every match.
 
At award giving ceremony the two captains summed up the match as under.

AB de Villiers said, “We are still in a good position in the group, but I never like to lose. We were shocking with the bat. We have been under pressure many times in the last few years and come out on top. I still believe we have the right group here to lift the trophy. It wasn’t easy (batting under lights). Still, a good enough wicket to chase that down, no reason we shouldn’t have chased it down.”
 
Misbah-ul-Haq said, “This is a big win for us. Sarfraz played well [others also played well]. We were 30-40 runs short, but the bowlers did their job. The bowlers went for the kill, the only chance was to get wickets and get the opposition all out. Beating South Africa, who are playing really good cricket, after that everybody believes now, the players, the team, can take a lot of confidence from it. When runs are on board, it is always pressure on the opposition.”

South Africa winning the toss put Pakistan in. Pakistan was in all shorts of problems with their openers in earlier matches. Sarfraz had his world cup debut and had baptism under fire against the best bowler of the world. He remained undaunted and played some glorious strokes in his run a ball 49-run before getting run out.

With veteran Younis Khan he put on 62 valuable runs in the 2nd wicket partnership. Then two seasoned professionals Younis and Misbah added another 40 in the third wicket. Considering the low scoring state of the match these two partnerships proved decisive on the outcome of the match.

Steyn, Morkel and Abott bowled at hostile pace and made run scoring very difficult. Misbah again top scored with 56-run. How can one not notice this man who stands solid at every batting crisis for Pakistan?  Is he not leading his side the same way Imran did in 1992?

Imran was an all-rounder. He had some world class performer like Javed Miandad, Wasim Akram and Mustaq Ahmed in his team. But this team is very young and less experienced. Pakistan’s score of 222 appeared not at par.
 
But when South Africa started chasing, Pakistan team appeared with different resolution. Their bowling was hostile and accurate with no quarter given. South African batsmen appeared in a hurry. A little spell of rain changed their target to 232 in 47 overs. Amla and du Plessis started playing strokes.

Perhaps they could take their time. Possibly they were worried about further rain. Irfan, Rahat and Wahab Riaz were exploiting the assistance of the wicket. They were bowling at pace and attacking the stumps.

Once Amala and du Plessis were consumed at 67, no other batsmen could resist the slide and give company to lone warrior AB de Villiers.

Prolific de Villiers played several majestic strokes. But even his best was not enough to salvage South Africa. They could reach 202 and lost by 29 runs. De Villiers alone scored 77 of those. South Africa had another 13.3 left to score those runs. Pakistan bowled and fielded like wounded tigers in a hunting mission.

Pakistan and South Africa both have 6 points from five matches. Ireland also have 6 points as they beat Zimbabwe.

Pakistan has one match against Ireland, South Africa will play UAE. If both win their matches they will end up with 8 points. India has to play Ireland. If Ireland win, all four teams will have 8 points provided Ireland wins today. West Indies with an win against UAE can reach 6. Pool B is in a very interesting state.

BDST: 1843 HRS, MAR 07, 2015