To be honest, South Africa were no match for a resilient Pakistan in the fourth Momentum ODI at Kingsmead on Thursday.
The Pakistanis’ batting might have wobbled towards the end of the game, when a few runs were needed, but they did not panic.
South Africa scored 234-8 off 50 overs. Pakistan posted 236-7 with eight balls left.
South Africa are under pressure because a defeat in Benoni would mean two home series defeats in one season – something unheard of since the country’s return from isolation.
The South Africans lost 2-1 to New Zealand in a three-match ODI series earlier this season.
Yesterday they did not bat with the authority that saw them beat Pakistan by 34 runs at the Wanderers and their bowling, with the exception of Dale Steyn, lacked fire and discipline.
Skipper AB de Villiers expressed his disappointment and tried to mask the poor performance with the excuse that they were 20-plus runs short.
But Andrew Hudson, convener of the selectors, was candid.
“We did not play as well as we could on the day. We did not bowl well and when we batted we did not finish it off like we have done in the past. But those are little shortcomings which can tweak as we go along. I’m confident we can put things right by Sunday.”
Misbah-ul-Haq, the victorious Pakistan captain, put his side’s success down to better planning and determination. He admitted afterwards that Pakistan were not under pressure as they head for the decider at the weekend.
“We knew that we had to win to keep the series alive. We lost early wickets, but when we got together, we made a firm commitment to be together until the 40th over,” he said, referring to the partnership between him and opener Imran Farhat.
“As the home team they are certainly under pressure but we will approach Sunday’s game with the same attitude and determination.”
On a pitch that had a bit of life at the start of the day, South Africa chose to bat and were in dire trouble as Hashim Amla’s Kingsmead woes continued. He was caught behind by Kamran Akmal from a Mohammad Irfan delivery for a duck and with the next ball the tallest man in cricket rattled Colin Ingram’s stumps.
Graeme Smith (12) and Farhaan Behardien (1) also departed quickly.
The fourth-wicket stand between De Villiers (75) and David Miller (67) rescued the home side.
Irfan (3-46), Junaid Khan (3-45) and Saeed Ajmal (3-42) stood out for the disciplined Pakistan outfit.
Pakistan were rocked early in their reply – Mohammad Hafeez (0) was given out for obstructing the field while Akmal (11) and Younus Khan (6) had departed as the total reached 33. But the plan to rotate the strike and stay together until the 40th over saw Misbah (80) and Farhat (93) guide their side to relative safety by the 42nd over. While Shahid Afridi (4) and Wahab Riaz (0) came and went quickly, it was left to the experienced Malik (15 not out) and Ajmal (5 not out) to see Pakistan home.
Smith is unlikely to play in Benoni on Sunday.
His troublesome left ankle flared up yesterday and he was unable to field for most of Pakistan’s innings. – The Star
