Team Pakistan pulled off a sensational win in the second ODI against South Africa on their way to their first ever series win in eight attempts against the Proteas. PHOTO: AFP
Pakistan cricket commentators Thursday hailed the national team’s first-ever one-day series win over South Africa, describing it as one of the country’s greatest moments.
The Pakistani team edged out the Proteas by one run in the second One-Day International at Port Elizabeth on Wednesday to take an unbeatable 2-0 lead in the three-match series.
“It’s a big achievement,” former captain Zaheer Abbas told AFP. “It has given a lot of happiness to the players, cricket community and fans around the country.”
Pakistan rode on a brilliant 102 by opener Ahmed Shehzad to pile a challenging 262 all out in a match reduced to 45 overs due to rain.
South Africa were cruising along nicely in the chase with Hashim Amla and skipper AB de Villiers but once both departed South Africa failed to score 11 off the last two overs.
Paceman Junaid Khan took 3 for 42 and successfully defended nine off the last over.
Abbas said the win was necessary after Pakistan’s 4-1 loss in the one-day series against the same opponents in the UAE barely a fortnight ago.
“It was very much needed because when you perform badly, you ought to stage a comeback and we are proud of this team for doing so well after a big defeat,” said Abbas, also a former chief selector.
‘Big win for Misbah’
Another former captain Rashid Latif said the win will silence skipper Misbahul Haq’s critics.
“It’s a big win for the team and for Misbah,” said Latif. “After the UAE defeat it seemed his career will soon be over but this win will help him a lot.”
He also commended the younger members of the team.
“We needed good all-rounders and found Anwar Ali and Bilwal Bhatti who will give us much needed confidence in both batting and bowling,” said Latif.
Former coach and batsman Haroon Rasheed agreed the win will help Misbah.
“This win will lift the team’s confidence as well as taking pressure off Misbah who was unduly criticised by some people,” said Rasheed.
Discarded wicket-keeper batsman Kamran Akmal said the win will help Pakistan in their next series against Sri Lanka in the UAE, starting early next month.
Published in The Express Tribune, November 29th, 2013.
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COMMENTS (3)
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Excellent job done by the younsters, a few more youngster to be inducted in teh team for Sri Lanka series, like Sharheel Khan, Hammad Azam, Raza Hasan. We should rest Hafeez, Jamshed, Malik, Afridi.
It is really something great win for Pakistani team. I always support my team whether they win or lose. Today Pakistan won by one run so we are happy that our team played well. But last time when Pakistan lost to one run, we were calling it "SATTA" i.e. Bribe. Isn't is double standard? Have we ever reversed it as calling "Well-played" when South Africa won and "SATTA" by South Africans when Pakistan won?
We as a nation should be mature enough to accept it as a game whether we win or lose. Other teams are also there to play, they have their strengths and weaknesses too. If anyone wins between Australia and England, it is game but if anyone wins between Pakistan and India, it is SATTA. Why? All Pakistani and Indian fellows, please become mature enough to accept the wins as well as the loses.