Play over for the day.
Pakistan in sight of a brilliant victory courtsey of Taufeeq, Imran Farhat, Asim Kamal, Shoaib Malik, Shoaib Akhter and Danish Kaneria. A true team effort.
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:(
What a shame Imran sacrificed his wicket trying to finish the game today. As soon as they decided to carry on I was thinking I hope they don't change the way they have been playing and that's exactly what happened. Wonderful knock though.
This has been a real team effort for once the batsmen backing up our bowlers and considering the fact we were without Rashid and Inzimam it was a proud day to watch most members of the squad stand up and be counted. SA are no mugs and made things hard but our lads just over-powered them in the end and it's just a case of applying the finishing rites tomorrow.
I think the South Africans have abused our hospitality and trying to sideline Shoaib backfired badly on them. Kirsten was felled (and made a brave comeback btw) and the rest of the top order were swept away in the Shoaib tornado. Never rile a fast bowler lads ;)
Umar and Farhat race to victory
Shoaib Akhtar literally bounced the top-order away and Danish Kaneria tore into the tail, as South Africa were bowled out for 241 on the fourth day at Lahore. Pakistan were 22 for no loss at tea with Taufeeq Umar and Imran Farhat, the openers, beginning in one-day mode, in pursuit of the 161 they required to take a 1-0 lead in the series.
Kaneria bowled unchanged from the start of play, and stuck to a probing line, which acted as an ideal foil for the attacking Akhtar. He didn't have wickets to show for his consistency, until Neil Mckenzie surrendered his, by playing a premeditated paddle-sweep and being embarrassingly bowled around his legs (159 for 4).
However it was after lunch that Kaneria came into his own. Mark Boucher was swinging the bat aggressively and Gary Kirsten (46) showed real grit as they looked to rebuild the ruins which Akhtar had bulldozed. Kirsten was pulling every short ball - without any thought of the risks involved – and Boucher looked eager to hurry on at six an over. But Kaneria stuck to his length, and Boucher poked at a good-length ball without negotiating the bounce, only to lob a catch to forward short-leg (192 for 6).
Kaneria then picked up the crucial wicket of Kirsten, who didn't read the wrong'un and attempted to loft him out of the ground. He instead got a leading edge and Yousuf Youhana gathered the steepling skier (237 for 7). Kirsten had played a truly memorable innings, considering the blow he had incurred in the first innings, and the sight of him going after every bouncer hurled at him was a lesson in courageous batting.
Paul Adams was then totally deceived by a straighter ball that crashed into his back leg and was plumb lbw (238 for 8). Mushtaq Ahmed – in his first over of the day – bowled Andre Nel through the gate and Shaun Pollock too was flummoxed by the googly, as the ball sneaked through his defence and bowled him. South Africa lost their last four wickets for 4 runs – all to googlies - to give Pakistan a great chance of going one up in the series. However, the afternoon successes were made possible by the events of the morning, when Akhtar ignited the batting collapse.
He concentrated mostly on bouncing the batsmen and in his second over nearly had Boeta Dipanaar lbw. But in the next over, with a rush of blood, Dippenaar tried to pull a wide delivery, got a top edge and was easily caught by Youhana at midwicket (104 for 2).
Gibbs(59) received a perfectly directed bouncer that climbed and took the glove, before hitting his shoulder and lobbing up to Taufeeq Umar at first slip. He had played a good innings till then, but Akhtar's pace was just too much for him.
Jacques Kallis drove with style during his short tenure in the middle, but was finally undone by an Akhtar snorter. The short ball was shaping in and Kallis tried to pull it. Replays show the ball actually came off his shirt on the way to the wicketkeeper, but the umpire thought otherwise and sent him on his way(149 for 4).
Akhtar had to go off the field a little before lunch when he tore a muscle. It was later confirmed that he would be out of action for three weeks. But he has played a great part in this Test, and paved the way for Kaneria to clean up the tail. Now, it was up to the batsmen to complete the demolition job.
© Wisden Cricinfo Ltd
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Shoaib Akhtar: unstoppable
© AFP
for next match shoaib is out..
then who will b in:konfused:
UMAR GUL??? NO!
great bowling by shoib, hats off to rawalpindi express!!!!
shabbir ahmed :k:
inshallah!
:k: Great team effort. Is Inzamam playing in the next test? I hope he comes back, and man we’ll miss Shoiaby. Recover and comeback soon!
great batting by imran n taufeeq :k:
What happens if Inzi's fit? Who can be dropped to accomodate him now? Farhat and Kamal have surely cemented their places so a tricky selection problem for the next test.
^^ well it would be too harsh but Kamal will have to make way for Inzi :)
It will be harsh but either Kamal or Hameed will have to sit it out. Tough, until recently Pakistan had a problem of not having enough batsmen to play with, now the situation is reversing itself. It also makes the return of Younis Khan that much more difficult. Everyone will have to perform to stay in the team, otherwise there will be players waiting to replace them. Nice to be in that situation for once. :)
How about if Taufeeq kept the wickets and Moin was to be dropped. Question is how good a W/K taufeeq will be and whether he could stand up to the responsibility of keeping the wickets and opening the innings.
Neither Kamal or Hameed deserve to sit out and if Inzi comes back into the side and fails there will be uproar so he will be under tremendous pressure. It's a weird situation with both Inzi and Yoyo's places coming under scrutiny where a week ago we would be panicking if either missing :)
Inz y could also come in instead of Mushy but that would leave only 4 frontline bowlers and with Shoaib out that might not be considered. But it's a possibility.
I dont think Taufeeq can keep wickets in a test match with ball turning so much. Anyways with Moin's performace in this match, i think Taufiq can do the job to the same level as moin did :)
And yes return of Younis is very hard now. And even if he does come back, he will have to perform, no more hanky panky stuff..
[QUOTE]
*Originally posted by Mr Xtreme: *
Neither Kamal or Hameed deserve to sit out and if Inzi comes back into the side and fails there will be uproar so he will be under tremendous pressure. It's a weird situation with both Inzi and Yoyo's places coming under scrutiny where a week ago we would be panicking if either missing :)
Inz y could also come in instead of Mushy but that would leave only 4 frontline bowlers and with Shoaib out that might not be considered. But it's a possibility.
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i dont think there would be uproar if Inzi fails, his place is secure for atleast six months after his last test match knock :D
There's a saying in sports mate, you are only as good as your last match, so if he fails in the next one....:D
[QUOTE]
*Originally posted by Mr Xtreme: *
There's a saying in sports mate, you are only as good as your last match, so if he fails in the next one....:D
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well Pakistan's sports policies dont work that way, do they??:D
Wanna bet? If Kamal gets dropped and Inzi fails next match the public’ll be stoning his house. You know it man, that’s the way things work 
nah Xtreme bhai, Inzi saved our blushes against the weakest playing nation tu i think it will take atleast two three matches before his house is stoned