PORT ELIZABETH: Pakistan captain Misbah-ul-Haq hailed his country’s first win in a bilateral series against South Africa after they pulled off a thrilling one-run win in the second one-day international at St George’s Park in Port Elizabeth yesterday.
Set to make 263 to win, South Africa finished on 261 for six.
Misbah admitted that a win seemed unlikely with two overs to go.
He said: “But there is always pressure on the side batting second. We knew that we would have a chance if we had one good over so that South Africa needed more than a run a ball in the last over, especially if they had new batsmen at the crease.”
The good over was provided by off-spinner Saeed Ajmal, who conceded only two runs in the penultimate over and finished with the wicket of Amla, caught at deep square leg going for a big hit.
Junaid Khan had JP Duminy caught in the deep off the second ball of the final over during which he conceded only three singles before the last ball went for four leg byes.
“It really means a lot to us to beat South Africa in a bilateral series for the first time, especially doing it in South Africa,” said Misbah.
It was especially satisfying because Pakistan were recently beaten 4-1 by the same opponents in the United Arab Emirates.
“It is a young side and now they believe they can win. That was what was lacking (in the previous series),” said Misbah.
South Africa captain AB de Villiers struggled to explain yet another failed run chase by his team, who have now lost their last seven matches when batting second.
“I had the game in my hands with Hash out there with me,” he said.
“I’ve finished a lot of games like that before and I was on a bit of a roll there. I should have caught my breath a little bit and looked at the situation again. It is very disappointing,” he said.
REUTERS
