Scorer: Sanjay Murari | Commentator: Kanishkaa Balachandran
Presentation:
Misbah: "We could not handle the pressure, some relaxed shots that cost us the match. Once we won a game here against Sri Lanka (1999) where they had seven wickets in hand. Our focus should be to be there till the last run in scored. the batting spoiled the party. Afridi and Ajmal bowled really well. We have to forget this game and improve for the next game."
Parnell is the Man of the Match: "Happy to contribute with bat and ball. Myself and Miller, we looked to keep the score ticking over. After my first over I though I was rushing it a little bit and from the second I was fine."
AB de Villiers: "I was focusing on making the right decisions for the guys. Disappointed with our batting performance. Would like to touch on the team performance. South Africans always believe we can turn things around. When you get a sniff you have drive it home. Immi (Tahir) was fantastic. He was always going to come back after the 40th over. Have to give credit to Tsotsobe, he gave us two wickets. Immi followed him and did his magic."
You can look back at little incidents that made the difference. Wahab's two misfields that cost boundaries is one. And how valuable was Parnell's knock? If it weren't for him, SA would have been bundled out for less than 150 for all you know.
I'll leave you guys to reflect on these and more. I'm exhausted. It's been fun bringing this game. Thanks for your company. Till the next game, it's goodnight and goodbye!
End of match: Well we've heard the "C" word being used on South Africa for nearly two decades now, but tonight, they were on the other side of the camp. Pakistan well and truly CHOKED. Let's face it. This was their game to lose and the worst case scenario came true. The batitng Powerplay saw the wicket of Misbah and for a while after that they were cruising. The wickets of the two Umars - Akmal and Amin - triggered a bit of panic but even at that stage, they held the edge because they still had Afridi and Tanvir. Afridi fell to a skier and at that stage SA must have firmly believed that the balance had shifted. Ajmal and Irfan threw their bats around and in the end they fell a run short.
Neville Smeda: "For me, Imran Tahir changed the match at the end, but there wouldn't have been a match had it not been for Wayne Parnell...so he would be my Man of the Match. SA's batting should be ashamed...they have a lot of work to do before the next one."
Shiraz: "One Word. PATHETIC-ISTAN. Enough said."
Rameez Moosa: "Needs a special talent to choke against the biggest chokers. Thank you Pakistan for making us feel special. Only if Misbah could bat forever for us."
The presentation is coming up
Mohammad Irfan b Morkel 2 (16m 9b 0x4 0x6) SR: 22.22
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