Pakistan v South Africa 1999-2000

At Sharjah, March 28 (day/night). Pakistan won by 67 runs. Toss: Pakistan. International debut: C. M. Willoughby.

South Africa's 100 per cent record at Sharjah was blown away as Pakistan booked a place in the final. Several players were resting, including Cronje after an unbroken run of 162 limited-overs internationals since September 1993. Pollock returned to captain his country for the first time in a full international (he had led them to victory in the Commonwealth Games 18 months earlier). He started well when Pakistan were dismissed for 168; only Yousuf Youhana, last out for 65, made much headway. But after Kirsten had retired with back spasms, South Africa's batting folded, with their last eight wickets going for 27 while Gibbs carried his bat for 59. Waqar Younis struck first, getting McKenzie lbw for his 300th one-day international wicket, but Shoaib Akhtar did the damage with three wickets in his fourth over. The strain - his pace had been recorded at 97 mph - was too much, however: a groin injury forced him off midway through his next over. He returned to bowl two more balls before breaking down again, and was forced to miss the final.

Man of the Match: Shoaib Akhtar.