Pakistan v South Africa, 2013-14
Wisden's review of the second Twenty20 International, Pakistan vs South Africa, 2013-14
15-Apr-2014
At Dubai, November 15, 2013 (floodlit). South Africa won by six runs. Toss: South Africa.
Fittingly, Pakistan ended things with one final batting blowout. Chasing 151, they were handily placed at 101 for three midway through the 14th over. Umar Akmal was looking sensible, Sohaib Maqsood a great find, and a share of the series seemed likely. Five overs later, they were 139 for nine, down and out in a heap of thoughtless, panic-stricken strokeplay. The beneficiaries were, by now, predictable: it is unlikely Steyn, Parnell and Imran Tahir had ever picked up wickets quite so easily at this level. There was also a welcome return to form for Amla, whose sparkling 48 set the pace and took advantage of a hip injury to Mohammad Irfan, who had finally broken down, in his 118th over of the tour. Pakistan's travails were summed up by Abdul Razzaq, who went for 14 in his first international over for more than a year, then tried to leave his first ball, from Tahir - a googly that bowled him. South Africa moved to second in the Twenty20 international rankings, behind India by one hundredth of a decimal point.
Man of the Match: F. du Plessis. Man of the Series: F. du Plessis.
Fittingly, Pakistan ended things with one final batting blowout. Chasing 151, they were handily placed at 101 for three midway through the 14th over. Umar Akmal was looking sensible, Sohaib Maqsood a great find, and a share of the series seemed likely. Five overs later, they were 139 for nine, down and out in a heap of thoughtless, panic-stricken strokeplay. The beneficiaries were, by now, predictable: it is unlikely Steyn, Parnell and Imran Tahir had ever picked up wickets quite so easily at this level. There was also a welcome return to form for Amla, whose sparkling 48 set the pace and took advantage of a hip injury to Mohammad Irfan, who had finally broken down, in his 118th over of the tour. Pakistan's travails were summed up by Abdul Razzaq, who went for 14 in his first international over for more than a year, then tried to leave his first ball, from Tahir - a googly that bowled him. South Africa moved to second in the Twenty20 international rankings, behind India by one hundredth of a decimal point.
Man of the Match: F. du Plessis. Man of the Series: F. du Plessis.