Cricket: South Africa U19 down high-flying Pakistan

Hosts win group match of Tri-Nation Series by 42 runs.

South Africa under-19 gave a taste of things to come in the January 22 final, downing Pakistan U19 by 42 runs in their group match of the Tri-Nation Series.

Pakistan, who will face the same opponents in Sunday’s final, struggled in their run-chase and were dismissed for 198 in the 44th over after South Africa posted a competitive 240 for seven in Cape Town.

The loss was Pakistan’s first in four matches of the tournament that also features Zimbabwe.

Theunis de Bruyn scored the only half-century of the innings, hitting a 76-ball 73 as South Africa recovered from 78 for three to finish with a competitive total.

The hosts were helped on their way by Pakistan’s wayward bowling as 34 extras were given away.

In reply, Pakistan were off to a horrible start, being reduced to 72 for five and then 107 for six.

Down and out, Mohammad Nawaz and Usman Qadir provided hopes of an upset, adding  50 runs for the seventh wicket before both were dismissed in quick succession, taking away their team’s hopes as well.

Qadir made a whirlwind 52 off just 36 balls but the top-order collapse proved to be decisive.

Published in The Express Tribune, January 17^th, 2012.