ATG World Championship - Pakistan v South Africa

 

Pakistan pulled off a miraculous victory in almost total darkness in Faisalabad after 5 thrilling days of cricket.

South Africa won the toss and elected to bat on a damp and mottled looking pitch.  They batted well with Barry Richards making 85 and setting the platform for Graeme Pollock to smash a beautiful 158.  South Africa declared on 499-8 with Wasim Akram being the pick of the bowlers while their spinners picked up 2 wickets apiece.

Pakistan replied with a huge score of 467 losing just 3 wickets.  After being 217 for 3, Younis Khan and Mohammad Yousuf put on a partnership of 250 with both being undefeated as Imran Khran declared.  Yousuf was 106 not out and Younis Khan carried his bat, finishing 250 not out and taking Sanath Jayasuiryas record for highest score in the tournament.

South Africa made a brisk 158 for 3 with Pollock unbeaten for another 70 runs and set Pakistan a target of 190 with 2 sessions remaining in the game.  South Africas fast bowlers reduced Pakistan to 75 for 5 when Imran Khan and Imtiaz Ahmed came to the crease.  They batted superbly for a partnership of 103.  Imran was bowled by Vernon Philander for 65 after Pakistan declined to go off for bad light.  Wasim Akram came to the crease with 12 runs needed.  The pair declined the light once again and managed to get over the line at 7:05pm, to huge complaints from South African players and team staff.

'The declaration was a risk for sure, but we felt we could bowl them out and that the pitch was starting to do a bit more for all our bowlers'.  Graham Smith tried to justify the declaration decision, but many here feel it was too generous and gifted Pakistan the win.

South Africa head off to Sabina Park, Jamaica, to face the West Indies next, while Pakistan jet off to Colombo to play against Sri Lanka.

South Africa 1st Innings 499-8 (152.3 Ov)

RG Pollock 158, BA Richards 85, GC Smith 51, Wasim Akram 3-107, Saqlain Mushtaq 2-106, Abdul Qadir 2-114

Pakistan 1st Innings 467-3 (127.4 Ov)

Younis Khan 250*, Mohammad Yousuf 106*, Hanif Mohammad 50

South Africa 2nd Innings 158-3 (59 Ov)

RG Pollock 70*, HM Amla 46, Abdul Qadir 2-22

Pakistan 2nd Innings 192-6 (64.2 Ov)

Imran Khan 65, Imtiaz Ahmed 48*, Zaheer Abbas 33, VD Philander 2-22, SM Pollock 2-52

Pakistan won by 4 wickets

Man of the Match:  Younis Khan 

(A difficult decision with Graeme Pollock and Imran Khan both worthy candidates also).

Younis Khan smashes a thunderous square drive for 4 in his innings of 250 not out.  He batted for almost 9 hours, facing 371 balls and hitting 24 fours.