Pakistan suffered shock 26-run defeat

BENONI (South Africa), February 6: Pakistan suffered a surprise 26-run defeat at the hands of Easterns in their last pre-World Cup warm-up game at Wiloowmoore Park on Thursday.

Pakistan, chasing 216 for victory in 46 overs after their four overs were docked for slow over-rate, were cruising nicely at 89 for one after 14.2 overs. But the departure of Shahid Afridi triggered another batting collapse as the 1992 world champions lost their nine wickets for 100 runs to be dismissed for 189 in 36.4 overs.

Pierre de Bruyn, a gentle medium-pacer who mixed his deliveries well, caused the maximum damage when he finished with four for 40. Earlier in the morning he scored an invaluable 41 not out to walk away with the Man-of-the-Match award.

Pakistan batsmen wrote the script of their own demise when they played a few careless shots that proved costly. Shahid Afridi, who stroked a run-a-ball 46 with five fours and three sixes, was caught at mid-on while attempting another big hit while Inzamam-ul-Haq was caught at the wicket while chasing almost a wide delivery.

Abdul Razzaq was needlessly run-out while responding a Yousuf Youhana call and the latter soon followed when he lost his stumps while attempting an over-ambitious shot.

Younis Khan continued his excellent run on the tour but received little support from the other ends as wickets continued to fall at regular intervals. Younis returned unbeaten on a 43-ball 41 that included four boundaries.

Abdul Razzaq struck seven sweetly timed boundaries in his 51-ball 44.

Earlier in the day, an unbroken last-wicket stand of 49 between Pierre de Bruyn and Andre Nel propelled the South African domestic first-class champions to 215 for nine in 50 overs. They were also helped by 40 extras that Pakistan conceded, including 14 wides and 10 no-balls.

Besides de Bruyn, Zander de Bruyn (not related to Pierre) scored a nice 41 and added 70 runs for the second wicket with Derek Crookes who contributed 34.

For Pakistan, skipper Waqar Younis picked up three wickets for 33 while Younis Khan, with his part-time leg-spinners, scooped up two wickets for 29 runs. He was on a hat-trick when he had Dylan Jennings and Gareth Flusk off successive deliveries.

But the hat-trick was averted by Nel who was caught on the following delivery at mid-on by Yousuf Youhana but off a no-ball. That proved costly as Nel struck a six and three fours in his 23-ball 28.

Samiul Hasan
Media Manager
Pakistan Cricket Team
February 6, 2003