Rain-Restricted Match: Irfan wrecks South African top order

Pakistan fast bowler Mohammad Irfan took four wickets in a devastating opening spell in the second one-day international against South Africa at Super Sport Park on Friday.

South Africa crashed to 62 for five but recovered to reach 177 for seven when a thunderstorm stopped play after 34.3 overs.

Tall left-armer Irfan took a career-best four for 33 in seven overs. Farhaan Behardien led the South African fight back, making a measured 58 off 82 balls in his maiden international half-century.

Robin Peterson made 39 not out and helped Behardien put on 67 for the seventh wicket before Behardien was caught on the midwicket boundary one ball before the stoppage.

Published in The Express Tribune, March 16^th, 2013.