Debutants dazzle to break Cape Town jinx
Pakistan had lost all the previous six matches at the Newlands.
Anwar Ali was named man-of-the-match for taking three wickets and scoring a 74-run partnership with Bilawal Bhatti as Pakistan won the first ODI by 23 runs against South Africa. PHOTO: AFP
KARACHI:
Pakistan claimed their first victory in a One-Day International (ODI) at Cape Town on Monday, with the win being crafted by the two debutants Anwar Ali and Bilawal Bhatti.
The duo excelled with an all-round show to set up a 23-run win in the first ODI, giving a 1-0 lead to the visitors in the three-match series. Pakistan had lost all the previous six matches at the Newlands.
However, after yet another disastrous top-order performance, Pakistan needed debutants Anwar and Bhatti to rescue the side with a 74-run partnership for the eighth wicket, which helped Pakistan post a competitive target of 219.
Nasir Jamshed (24) and Ahmed Shahzad (35) gave a relatively better opening stand of 49 before Dale Steyn came back to devastating effect. Steyn, after removing Jamshed, dismissed Mohammad Hafeez (5) yet again to turn things in favour of South Africa.
Experienced Jacques Kallis, returning to one-day after February 2012, was also on fire, getting the wickets of promising Sohaib Maqsood (22) and Shahzad. Three more wickets in quick successions – Misbahul Haq (13), Umar Akmal (0) and Shahid Afridi – left Pakistan reeling at 131 for seven.
However, the debutants defied the Proteas’ strong bowling attack with confidence to help post a challenging total. Anwar remained unbeaten at 43 from 55 deliveries, scoring six boundaries, while Bhatti was impressive with his knock of 39 from 25 balls, which included three fours and two sixes.
Steyn was the pick of the bowlers with figures of three for 33 while Morne Morkel was also inspiring with three for 39.
Hashim Amla’s (3) early wicket off Junaid Khan set the momentum for the touring team. Kallis shined with the bat too, scoring 50 from 71 before being bowled by Anwar, who ended up with figures of two for 24 to seal his man of the match title.
Jean-Paul Duminy’s 49 defied the visitors for a while, however Pakistan was not ready to give up the game as they dismissed the home team for 195 in 48.1 overs.
Bhatti finished with three for 37 from 7.1 overs and Saeed Ajmal snapped up two wickets, while Afridi, Hafeez and Junaid took a wicket each.
Delighted with debutants’ performance: Misbah
After their recent drubbing in the UAE, captain Misbah was delighted with the performance of Bhatti and Anwar as he set his sights on revenge.
“The two youngsters helped us fight back after we lost early wickets,” said Misbah. “I am happy with the victory as we now have a chance to win the series.”
Meanwhile, Anwar said he was just playing his natural game.
“Our plan was to play full 50 overs,” he said. “I have a good experience of playing with Bilawal in domestic cricket.”
Published in The Express Tribune, November 25th, 2013.
Pakistan claimed their first victory in a One-Day International (ODI) at Cape Town on Monday, with the win being crafted by the two debutants Anwar Ali and Bilawal Bhatti.
The duo excelled with an all-round show to set up a 23-run win in the first ODI, giving a 1-0 lead to the visitors in the three-match series. Pakistan had lost all the previous six matches at the Newlands.
However, after yet another disastrous top-order performance, Pakistan needed debutants Anwar and Bhatti to rescue the side with a 74-run partnership for the eighth wicket, which helped Pakistan post a competitive target of 219.
Nasir Jamshed (24) and Ahmed Shahzad (35) gave a relatively better opening stand of 49 before Dale Steyn came back to devastating effect. Steyn, after removing Jamshed, dismissed Mohammad Hafeez (5) yet again to turn things in favour of South Africa.
Experienced Jacques Kallis, returning to one-day after February 2012, was also on fire, getting the wickets of promising Sohaib Maqsood (22) and Shahzad. Three more wickets in quick successions – Misbahul Haq (13), Umar Akmal (0) and Shahid Afridi – left Pakistan reeling at 131 for seven.
However, the debutants defied the Proteas’ strong bowling attack with confidence to help post a challenging total. Anwar remained unbeaten at 43 from 55 deliveries, scoring six boundaries, while Bhatti was impressive with his knock of 39 from 25 balls, which included three fours and two sixes.
Steyn was the pick of the bowlers with figures of three for 33 while Morne Morkel was also inspiring with three for 39.
Hashim Amla’s (3) early wicket off Junaid Khan set the momentum for the touring team. Kallis shined with the bat too, scoring 50 from 71 before being bowled by Anwar, who ended up with figures of two for 24 to seal his man of the match title.
Jean-Paul Duminy’s 49 defied the visitors for a while, however Pakistan was not ready to give up the game as they dismissed the home team for 195 in 48.1 overs.
Bhatti finished with three for 37 from 7.1 overs and Saeed Ajmal snapped up two wickets, while Afridi, Hafeez and Junaid took a wicket each.
Delighted with debutants’ performance: Misbah
After their recent drubbing in the UAE, captain Misbah was delighted with the performance of Bhatti and Anwar as he set his sights on revenge.
“The two youngsters helped us fight back after we lost early wickets,” said Misbah. “I am happy with the victory as we now have a chance to win the series.”
Meanwhile, Anwar said he was just playing his natural game.
“Our plan was to play full 50 overs,” he said. “I have a good experience of playing with Bilawal in domestic cricket.”
Published in The Express Tribune, November 25th, 2013.