Sports

Pakistan emerge victorious

Abdul Razzaq sets up a dramatic one-wicket victory over South Africa in the second One-Day International.

Reuters November 01, 2010

ABU DABHI: Abdul Razzaq gave Pakistan welcome on-field respite with a stunning century to set up a dramatic one-wicket victory over South Africa in the second One-Day International on Sunday.

The International Cricket Council (ICC) earlier confirmed suspensions on three Pakistan players over spot-fixing allegations and the team looked to be struggling as they chased a formidable target of 287.

But Razzaq launched an astonishing assault to smash an unbeaten 109 from just 72 balls and seal victory with one ball to spare. Razzaq struck seven fours and 10 sixes to rescue Pakistan from 228 for seven, adding 32 for the final wicket with Shoaib Akhtar who faced just a single delivery.

South Africa’s huge total of 286 for eight was built around a second century by 25-year-old left-hander Colin Ingram in just his fifth match and featured rapid half-centuries from opener Hashim Amla and middle-order batsman J-P Duminy.

Ingram started slowly on an awkward pitch and was given a life of 54 when Zulqarnain Haider missed a straightforward stumping chance but grew in confidence to reach exactly 100 from 119 deliveries with 10 fours and a six. Amla belted four of his first seven deliveries to the boundary in a runaway start before slowing to reach 65 from 62 balls. Duminy ended the innings in style with 54 from just 43 balls including three fours and a towering straight six.

Pakistan seemed certain to pay the price for a pedestrian start during which they crawled to 135 for five in the 30th over before Razzaq rewrote the script and blasted 14 runs from the final over from just five balls to square the series at 1-1. The third match takes place in Dubai on Tuesday.

Published in The Express Tribune, November 1^st, 2010.

COMMENTS (10)

Ali | 14 years ago | Reply I absolutely agree with naeem here, there is no room for Asad Shafiq as opener he should be number 4

Amer | 14 years ago | Reply Razzaq summed my sentiments beautifully here: http://www.cricinfo.com/pakistan-v-south-africa-2010/content/current/story/484702.html I always believed that Pakistan should select it's best players very carefully and then stick with them to the next world cup (2011) which is just around the corner. Otherwise we would just be expecting too much from these guys and they would not be in a position to deliver at that time. Thank God Younis Khan is back in the team and we have players like Fawad Alam and Hafeez who are looking good out there. Ofcourse all of these players need to play big innings for Pakistan and not just 30s and 40s but they should be given confidence. The fans had always kept their faith, you can see how many people were in the stadium in Abu Dhabi for all of these matches. When Pakistan was loosing it felt like these were crazy people who would come for anything but yesterdays innings shut the critics.

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Muhammad Naeem Akhtar | 14 years ago | Reply Congratulations to the Nation At last our team has done it. Thanks to heroic performance of Abdul Razzaq. But for God Sake dont send Asad Shafiq as an opener. He is genuine middle order batsman. By sending him as an opener, we are trying to ruin his carear.

furkan | 14 years ago | Reply Oh My Gosh,Abdul Razzak was a supersonic in that inning.He held his nerves and played it with a lot of authority.He battered the south african ballers all over the park.South african pretentions took a dent when he massacre the south african attack.He fought tooth and nail to get the triump for Pakistan.

Hassan | 14 years ago | Reply Abdul Razzak performance last night was a class act.He took south african to the cleaners at his own.He made his presence felt and made a stunning century to surprise the whole world with 10 sixes and 7 fours.He was invulnerable and inevitable in that inning.More importantly,he brings back the smile on the people faces which were lost due to some turmoil in the country.

noor muhammad | 14 years ago | Reply well done pakistan,well done razzak, i would like to suggest razzak should bat higher up the order before shahid afridi

Ali | 14 years ago | Reply We can complain all we like but this is why exactly we love Pakistan and Razzaq in particular, the sheer joy, passion and ecstasy that this guy gave us last night is just unmatchable, What a legend, long live Razzaq and Pakistan

SAJJAD SARWAR | 14 years ago | Reply Good job Mr. Abdul Razzaq & Shahid Afridi, We love you allot, Single Army man Mr. Abdul Razzaq our prayers are always with you and we proud on you for this better success after a long time......... we will stay in touch and waiting for the next victory of Pakistan and hope you will do it with the power of all Pakistani's prayers and all yours lovers and fans.....

Waqar Ahmed | 14 years ago | Reply Thanks God.. At Last we won.. Well done Abdul Razzaq & Afridi. We are best at one man show. I hope we will play like a team from now onwards rather thn depending on individual excellence.

SK | 14 years ago | Reply Yes oh Yes.....Finally!!! Overall Pakistan's bowling was poor as usual, fielding was pathetic- no surprises there either and of course batting has been non-existent since last some months so when Afridi & Fawad showed some colors, it was a welcome change but what A. Razzaq did during the last 30 minutes of the game literally made me proud of being lover of the game in genral and being Pakistani fan in particular. Kudos to the old hawk- he played like a true pro and made us proud. Thanks for making us jump our sofas with our faces glowing with Paki pride. Long live my team and my country.....

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