Pakistan vs South Africa- Quick flicks and key takeaways from the game

This World Cup has suddenly come to life, with the super over contest between the Lankans and the Kiwis and now this topsy turvy low scoring match between South Africa and Pakistan. The Super eights were supposed to spring life into the T20 World cup and they surely are doing it. We haven’t had any low scoring match in the tournament and the first that we have has gone right down to the wire. Pakistan backed their strengths, left out Tanvir and played the extra spinner. The South Africans aren’t the best players of spin and Pakistan tried to explore that part of South Africa’s weakness.

South Africa batted first and lost their openers in quick succession. Duminy and de Villiers provided some late order respite to take them to a respectable total of 133. Pakistan did a brilliant job with the ball, picking up wickets and regular intervals. In the run chase Pakistan started of aggressively with Nazir going after the bowling but soon they found themselves tottering at 31/3 after Peterson struck twice in an over. Kamaran fell to a cheap shot and Pakistan were left gasping at 37/4. The wickets kept on tumbling for Pakistan, but then came in Umar Gul, less was expected of him from the bat but he surprised us and even himself I suppose by playing a blinder of a knock to see his country cross the finish line. Umar Akmal played the anchor role throughout and hit a crucial six of Morkel in the final over to take his country home.

There were a few special moments in the game and consisted of a lot of key takeaways

Raza Hasan- the extra spinner

Pakistan backed their strengths and played the extra spinner. The gamble paid off well as Hasan went for just 12 off his 3 overs and bowled pretty well to the likes of Amla and Levi upfront. He even had a maiden to his name and that’s some achievement in T20 game. Pakistan could use him in the powerplay against India as well.

Kamran’s torrid time behind the stumps continues

He might have played a blinder of a knock against India in the warm up game but other than that he has nothing to boast off, at least in recent times. He has been atrocious behind the stumps dropping even the simplest of chances. In today’s game he provide Amla with a second life when he dropped him in the first over itself. Thankfully Amla did not trouble the scorers much but on another day, the miss could have proved to be costly. Pakistan seriously need to look into this aspect of Akmal’s game or find a replacement as soon as possible.

South Africa pull a leaf out of New Zealand’s book

I just fail to understand why do South Africa and New Zealand not send their best batsman up the order. They seriously need to check their strategies. Why not give your best batsman little more time at the crease?. New Zealand held back Ross during the league stages and today de Villiers was sent in after Duminy and Behardien. De Villiers should be batting at number four because when it comes to class and strokeplay, he is second to none.

Pace used for the first time in the 18th over by Pakistan, and rightly so

Umar Gul was playing as a specialist fielder until the 18th over. The spinners were doing a great job for Pakistan, keeping a check on the scoring rate and taking wickets as well. Gul was greeted with a first ball six. The ball coming onto the bat was a welcoming sign for de Villiers and he wasted no time in having a crack. The slower bowlers were hard to get away and Hafeez did the right thing by making them bowl 18 of the 20 overs.

Peterson sending shock waves in the Pakistan camp

Chasing a target of 134, Pakistan would have backed themselves to achieve it 9 out of 10 times. Peterson hasn’t been a very successful spinner for South Africa but he did manage to put Paksitan in a lot of pressure by dismissing Hafeez and Jamshed in the space of 3 balls. He gave away just 15 runs in 4 overs and was the pick of the South African bowlers.

Umar Gul’s heroics

Snatching victory from the jaws of defeat is no child’s play. Gul who did not contribute much with the ball, felt it was time he made some important contribution with the bat. Coming in at a situation when all hope was lost and the opposition was dominating, Gul planned to launch an attack on the South Africans. He trusted his ability, did not hold back and went for the kill. Clean and fearless hitting helped Pakistan achieve the unthinkable. A fine knock under pressure which shows that Gul is no tail ender now.

It was indeed an entertaining match, wickets tumbling, pacers not being used and regular bowlers coming in at 76/7 and winning the match for you single handedly.