Pakistan v South Africa

At Tangier, August 18. South Africa won by eight runs. South Africa 4 pts. Toss: South Africa.

From the very beginning to the very end, this was Pakistan's game - and yet they somehow managed to snatch defeat from the jaws of victory. Waqar Younis and Wasim Akram - who took a wicket with the first ball of the day - looked to have won the match with their hostile opening spell. Even when the South Africans wriggled their way to respectability, Pakistan's target appeared modest. It was all the more so when Shahid Afridi - batting at No. 3 after dropping to No. 9 the day before - made a typically spectacular assault on the bowling, racing to 62 off 40 balls and taking 20 off an over from Kallis. That was the highlight of the day, thrown into starker relief for Pakistan's travelling supporters by the shambles that followed. Even as partners rashly fell around him, Inzamam, at least, seemed to be anchoring a successful run chase. But when he hit Ontong for six in the 42nd over, he stepped on his own stumps. Even as Pakistan wickets continued to tumble, the game seemed to be within their grasp until the last wicket fell.

Man of the Match: A. A. Donald.