In the ongoing 5 ODI series Pakistan is 1-2 after 3 ODIs against South Africa. These ODIs are being played at neutral grounds in Abu Dhabi and Dubai. The first ODI was won by SA, second went to Pakistan because of a solid century by Abdul Razzaq and third again was won by South Africa. The fourth ODI played at Dubai International Cricket Ground, Dubai is important for both the teams. If South Africa wins this ODI, they win the series before the final ODI to be played on 8th November. It is critical for Pakistan to win this ODI so as to level the series, prove their worth and keep hopes alive for winning the series against South Africa.
South Africa won the toss and decided to bat first. Graeme Smith played a brilliant knock of 92 runs. Hashim Amla, Jacques Kallis and Miller were disappointing in batting whereas AB de Villiers, JP Duminy, Ingram and Botha contributed considerable runs to South African innings of 274 for 6 wickets in 50 overs. Both’s 28 in 15 balls with 6 fours was an excellent piece of batting in the last couple of overs assisted by Ingram’s 27 in 25 balls. Pakistan needed 275 runs to win the match and level the series to 2-2. Else the series goes to South Africa by 3-1 with last ODI left merely for record purposes.
Imran Farhat and Mohammad Hafeez opened Pakistani innings. First shock for Pakistan came in first over’s last ball when Farhat got out at 2. Mohammad Hafeez is a promising all rounder and that he has proved in the past. The same he did again by playing a very useful quick innings of 42 runs made in just 29 balls with 5 fours before he got out leg before by Steyn in 10th over. Pakistan was 64 for two at that time. Asad Shafiq and Younis Khan tried to steer the innings with their useful individual scores and a good partnership between the two. Unfortunately Asad got run out at 36. Fawad Alam also could not do much and got out cheaply at 6 runs. Pakistan innings reduced to 131 for 4 wickets in 25th over. Exactly after 40 runs, Captain Shahid Afridi got out at 29 made in 25 balls. Younis Khan got out at 73 made in 115 balls bowled out by Morkel.
Two balls later, Abdur Rehman got run out without opening his account. Pakistan innings was getting into trouble by then with 220 for 7 in 43rd over, requiring 55 more runs and 3 wickets remaining. The troubles increased when Abdul Razzaq, the 2nd ODI centurion, got out at 33 and innings total as 244 for 8 in 46.1 overs. 23 balls remaining, 2 more wickets and 31 runs to be made seemed like an uphill task for Pakistan.
But kudos should go to Pakistan tailenders. Wahab Riaz and Zulqarnain Haider did not surrender and tried to move towards goal. Wahab made 18 runs in 10 balls and got out in the last over with 3 balls remaining and two runs to win. It could go either way, Pakistan could lose their last wicket, or the balance 2 runs be made by them to win the match and level the series by 2-2.
Finally on the penultimate ball of the innings the winning run was taken and Pakistan wins this enthralling match by 1 wicket. The series is leveled at 2-2. Last match is definitely going to be a do or die for both the teams.
