Pakistan make South Africa sweat for victory

Sharjah, March 24: South Africa clinched their 14th win on the trot over Pakistan but not before they were made to sweat in the Sharjah Cup match at the Sharjah Cricket Stadium here on Friday evening.

Pakistan, batting first, limped to 195 for eight from their allotted 50 overs. S. Africa reached victory with 33 balls to spare.

Pakistan staged a compelling fightback reducing the South Africans to seven for 163 by the 39th over, but unheralded Nicky Boje rose to the challenge from nowhere to blow their hopes. The gusty player, known by spinning fingers, smashed a cool-headed unbeaten 35.

Pakistan, already handicapped by the absence of star players like Saeed Anwar, Saqlain Mushtaq and Azhar Mahmood, suffered a further blow when Wasim Akram and Shoaib Akhar were omitted due to groin injury.

South Africa also owe thanks to Jacques Kallis (35) and Neil McKenzie (31) for making useful contributions after a stunning five-wicket haul from Man-of-the-Match Lance Klusener restricted Pakistan to a modest 196.

The match was still tight when Waqar Younis returned for his second spell with South Africa needing 12 runs, but he conceded 11 runs and it was all and over for Pakistan.

Earlier, Pakistan faltered badly after a pretty good start, their seasoned batsmen once again failing to provide the solidity to the innings in the middle. The pressure, of course, was there to step the scoring rate, but then that's one-day cricket: things are never served on a platter.

Young Imran Nazir and Younis Khan played with cultured innings, never missing out on a chance to go for big hits after the early fall of Shahid Afridi. Nazir, in particular, was pretty impressive and executed strokes with grace and conviction.

The two, who put on 115 runs for the second wicket in 176 balls, were not exactly on fire, but that was understandable since it has been long since Pakistan batsmen have been among the runs. The first 20 overs yielded just 54 runs and by the 30th over they were 103 for one.