Player of the Match
Player of the Match

That's all for tonight people. What a cracker of a match. Up and down, topsy-turvy, like the roller-coaster roads of Durabn. Thanks for joining us. Cheers

Quotes from presentation "Of course, much-needed victory," says Misbah-ul-Haq, who is also the man of the Match. "Everybody put their 100% in, it was a team effort. Farhat batted really well. We need one batsman to stay till the end, he showed that responsibility. That start was something we need and are capable of, especially getting Amla, you dream of that start wherever we get a little bit of turn and bounce, Ajmal is the key man. The seamers bowled really well too. It was like we were playing in Lahore, thanks to the crowd. It was not easy the way they bowled, we were under a lot of pressure. The plan was to keep on batting till 50 overs, and the runs would come. There was a little bit of pressure in the end, buy you have got to believe you can win; and Malik ended the game really well."

"Two quality sides," says AB de Villiers. "Unfortunately we lost the momentum too many times today. I got out at a bad time. We fought till the end, but unfortunately we came out short. You get a guy like Irfan and sometimes you are going to be two down early on. We showed character with the bat, but didn't put the pressure on for long enough. Little bit ill discipline there, but we will go to Bennoni and work on these things. The pitch didn't play a big part. We didn't see balls turning too much or going through the top. Pakistan just outplayed us in certain areas. Hopefully they come and support us in Bennoni. It's going to be great clash between two very good ODI teams."

South Africa, thanks to exclusively their fielding and Steyn, came this close to - only for the third time in the history of ODIs - winning after having been reduced to 0 for 2. However, Pakistan just about kept their cool. Misbah must have shut a few of the detractors for a while, but he will be the first to admit he can do much better, precisely because he has the potential to do much better. Then again, the batting order around him makes him more cautious than he would want to be. Mazher has this stunning stat: "Highest average in successful chases: MS Dhoni (97.95), Misbah (88.38), MG Bevan (86.25), MJ Clarke (83.43), Kohli (77.55). [Qualification: 1000 runs]"

What a chase. Excitement only Pakistan can bring you. They have survived themselves to make it 2-2. Misbah is smiling again. Comes out to hug Ajmal and Malik. Then hand shakes all around

Adil N. Ahmad: "That awkward moment went Ajmal has a better batting strike rate than Afridi..."

48.4
4
Tsotsobe to Shoaib Malik, FOUR, all over. Malik finishes this off. Moves across, Tsotsobe follows him wide on off, and he then backs away late to create the room and cuts it through point for four
48.3
1
Tsotsobe to Saeed Ajmal, 1 run, full, on the pads, pushed to midwicket for a single. Malik looks back to see Phangiso is going at his end, and he has to hare through
48.2
4
Tsotsobe to Saeed Ajmal, FOUR, oh boy, what a shot to be played first ball. Ajmal has kiled this chase off. Poor bowling from Tsotsobe. Short, wide, and he Ajmal square-cuts it wide of point

Five balls to go in the over, and Malik is away from the strike, and Ajmal, Junaid and Irfan to flow. Game is back in the balance. Ajmal is the first. A wide slip in place

48.1
W
Tsotsobe to Shoaib Malik, OUT, South African fielders are turning this game around on its head. This is sensational. Malik drops this towards point and runs, but Miller swoops in like a cheetah from point, makes a one-handed pick-up, and underarm-flicks it onto the only stump visible when he is in the air himself. Miller slides into Riaz's bat but what a wicket he has got South Africa

Wahab Riaz run out 0 (4m 1b 0x4 0x6) SR: 0.00

Eight required off last two. Now that Steyn is bowled out, and with Malik still at the crease, Pakistan are the favourites

END OF OVER:
48 | 3 Runs 1 Wkt | PAK: 227/6 (8 runs required from 12 balls, RR: 4.72, RRR: 4.00)

  • Wahab Riaz0 (1b)
  • Shoaib Malik15 (17b)
  • Dale Steyn10-3-26-1
  • Rory Kleinveldt10-0-51-1
47.6
0
Steyn to Wahab Riaz, no run, bouncer, but wide outside off. Steyn is negotiated

One slip comes in for Riaz

Pakistan tour of South Africa 2012-13 News

Pakistan 2nd innings Partnerships

WktRunsPlayers
1st2Imran FarhatMohammad Hafeez
2nd16Kamran AkmalImran Farhat
3rd15Imran FarhatYounis Khan
4th153Imran FarhatMisbah-ul-Haq
5th5Shahid AfridiImran Farhat
6th35Shoaib MalikImran Farhat
7th1Shoaib MalikWahab Riaz
8th9Shoaib MalikSaeed Ajmal