Scorer: Binoy George | Commentator: Sidharth Monga
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..."
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
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
One slip comes in for Riaz
Wahab Riaz comes in. Nine to win off 14. Crucially Steyn has only two deliveries left
And was Mahika Gaur the youngest player to debut in a T20I at age 12?
Following the poor results in South Africa, Pakistan Twenty20 captain Mohammad Hafeez has called for improvements in country's domestic circuit, which will help produce complete players
He's got the height and the bounce, but staying on the park may prove to be a challenge he'll need to work on through his career
Pakistan captain Misbah-ul-Haq has called the results of the South Africa series a disappointment and accepted that his team needed significant improvements
The tour of South Africa was disappointing, not least because of perplexing selections and an out-of-sorts top order
