South Africa v Pakistan, 2012-13
Wisden's review of the third ODI, South Africa v Pakistan, 2012-13
15-Apr-2014
At Johannesburg, March 17, 2013. South Africa won by 34 runs. Toss: Pakistan.
A record third-wicket partnership between Amla and de Villiers provided entertainment of the highest quality for a huge crowd, and appeared to have put South Africa on course for a massive victory - until Shahid Afridi rolled back the years with an innings of eye-watering brutality. Mohammad Irfan's early brace brought the world's two highest-ranked batsmen together in the 14th over, and by the time they were finally parted in the 45th they had beaten by a single run the unbroken stand of 237 by Rahul Dravid and Sachin Tendulkar for India against Kenya at Bristol during the 1999 World Cup. Much has been made of Amla's silkiness, but several of his square drives flashed to the boundary in a blur. De Villiers's repertoire of ambidextrous trick shots was on full display even before he reached his century, and the back-foot extra-cover drive for six off Mohammad Hafeez's off-spin was the pick. Wahab Riaz conceded 93 runs, a Pakistan record in oneday internationals. Hafeez started well in reply, though at 132 for five the match looked over. But Afridi's bat-speed was as memorable as his violence and unorthodoxy. One of his seven sixes landed on the roof of the five-storey Centenary Stand, then disappeared on to the Wanderers golf course, the first time anybody could recall such a blow. An innings of 88 from 48 balls was certainly too late, but it seemed inappropriate to call it too little.
Men of the Match: H. M. Amla and A. B. de Villiers.
A record third-wicket partnership between Amla and de Villiers provided entertainment of the highest quality for a huge crowd, and appeared to have put South Africa on course for a massive victory - until Shahid Afridi rolled back the years with an innings of eye-watering brutality. Mohammad Irfan's early brace brought the world's two highest-ranked batsmen together in the 14th over, and by the time they were finally parted in the 45th they had beaten by a single run the unbroken stand of 237 by Rahul Dravid and Sachin Tendulkar for India against Kenya at Bristol during the 1999 World Cup. Much has been made of Amla's silkiness, but several of his square drives flashed to the boundary in a blur. De Villiers's repertoire of ambidextrous trick shots was on full display even before he reached his century, and the back-foot extra-cover drive for six off Mohammad Hafeez's off-spin was the pick. Wahab Riaz conceded 93 runs, a Pakistan record in oneday internationals. Hafeez started well in reply, though at 132 for five the match looked over. But Afridi's bat-speed was as memorable as his violence and unorthodoxy. One of his seven sixes landed on the roof of the five-storey Centenary Stand, then disappeared on to the Wanderers golf course, the first time anybody could recall such a blow. An innings of 88 from 48 balls was certainly too late, but it seemed inappropriate to call it too little.
Men of the Match: H. M. Amla and A. B. de Villiers.