Hashim Amla 81 helps SA to 234 for 9:

Pakistan a tough ask, need 235 to win

Elmo Rodrigopulle reporting from England

After a solid opening of 53 runs for the first wicket, the South African batsmen lost their way in the middle, but recovered to finally post 234 for 9 in 50 overs in their Group ‘B’ match in the ICC Champions Trophy against Pakistan, here today.

Unless the Pakistani batsmen make it their business to bat sensibly and with responsibility, they might find this total a big ask and concede victory to the South Africans. On a grey and cloudy day, South African Captain Abraham de Villiers won the toss and decided to bat on a dry looking wicket. South Africa made two changes and Pakistan one.

Must win game

It was a must win game for both teams to stay alive in the hunt. Pakistan Captain Misbah Ul Haq was keen to bat first. But the coin favoured South Africa and in batting Colin Ingram and Hashim Amla were untroubled and gave SA a solid start.

The Pakistani pace bowlers Mohamad Irfan, Mohamed Junaid and Wahab Riaz were varying their pace and bounce but not getting ,much help from the wicket. Spinners Mohamed Hafeez and Saeed Ajmal were always trying.

After a stand of 53 left hand batsman Colin Ingram fell LBW to Hafeez playing across the line for 20 with 2 fours. Amla who failed against India got his act together and was timing the ball and excelling in his signature cut shot that sped to the boundary.

Mistimed hook

Together with Faf Du Plessis Amla added 69 runs before Du Plessis fell to Irfan caught by Sohaib Malik for 28 mistiming a hook shot. De Villiers joined Amla and realizing that he must make a big score if his team is to stay in the picture, played solidly and never missed the opportunity to score.

Amla reached a 50 and was going well. But on 81 and looking set for a three figure score, he played the ungainly looking switch hit and holed out to Hafeez fielding at short fine leg. He hit 9 fours in a 97 ball knock.

Then Jean Duminy joined his skipper and looked like taking the fight to the bowlers with a bright stand of 41 in 55 balls when tragedy struck. Duminy played a ball to Misbah at short mid wicket and Villiers took off a single.

Lack of studs in boots

But it was apparent he lacked studs on his boots, slipped mid way on the pitch and was run out with Misbah running in to break the wicket instead of attempting to throw down the wicket. De Villiers 31 in 31 with a four and a six.

Then at 195, Duminy too attempting to steal a single,slipped and in attempting to get back failed to beat the direct throw from Misbah that hit the wicket. Duminy made 24. With South Africa at the start aiming at something over 250, the two unnecessary run outs created problems and the South African innings was beginning to fall apart after the promising start. Pity. David Miller made 19 and Ryan McClaren who played a breezy innings against India failed to repeat and went LBW to Sohaib Malik for 4 and SA were struggling on 203 for 6 with the over 250 being only a dream. Robin Petersen hit out to make 19 and the South African innings ended

on 234 for 9 in 50 overs,16 runs short from the 250 they were looking for. Sadly there were four run outs in the innings.

Edgbaston, Birmingham, Monday.