Efficient Pakistan dismantle South Africa in ICC Champions Trophy warm-up – Cricket news
With teams acclimating before the ICC Champions Trophy, Pakistan made a staggering entrance by dismantling South Africa in a warm-up match that was played on Monday at Kennington Oval, London.
For Pakistan, Imran Farhat and Mohammad Hafeez played a dominating role in their side’s victory where the two batsmen smacked 56 and 54 runs respectively as Pakistan reached the target in 45.3 overs.
However, Pakistan have their bowlers to thank for this win as the bowling department was right on from the word go which denied the South Africans any space.
Earlier after winning the toss, Pakistan captain Misbah-ul-Haq chose to field first and drew first blood when Junaid Khan trapped Hashim Amla in front of stumps off the third delivery of the match. While Amla left the field without opening his account, South Africa went under pressure with only a run on the board.
South Africa then lost their second wicket through a run out when Colin Ingram was left short of the crease with only 14 runs on the board. The batsman found his way back to the pavilion after scoring 7 off 15 deliveries.
After these initial successes, Pakistan faced some resistance from Alviro Petersen and AB de Villiers, as the two batsmen led their side towards 43 runs before this partnership also met its end after the wicket of the South African captain, who departed after scoring 15 runs.
Pakistan then struck for the fourth time in the match when Asad Ali dismissed Petersen for 16 off 29 deliveries. Francois du Plessis looked uncomfortable in the middle and soon lost his wicket after scoring only 7 runs. The batsman left his side lingering on 61.
By the time South Africa reached 83 runs, they had lost seven wickets and were looking in a terrible condition. This was the time when Pakistan should have wrapped things up, but South Africa’s Jean-Paul Duminy and Ryan McLaren crafted an outstanding resistance to take their side to 177, before the departure of the latter, who found his way off the field with 55 runs to his name. Meanwhile, Duminy crumbled after hitting an impressive knock of 43 runs.
From Pakistan, Asad Ali and Wahab Riaz were the pick of the bowlers with three wickets each.
Pakistan batsmen exhibited a commendable show as openers Farhat and Nasir Jamshed gave their side a stand of 35 runs, before the latter lost his wicket after he was ran out for 13 runs.
The partnership between Farhat and Hafeez was impressive as the duo led the side towards 120 runs, before Hafeez was retired hurt.
The next man to go was Farhat who was removed by Lonwabo Tsotsobe as he left his team on 150. Pakistan then suffered the loss of another wicket with only 156 on the scoreboard as Asad Shafiq fell with 17 runs to his name.
With Umar Amin unbeaten on 27 and Misbah-ul-Haq on 24, Pakistan won the match by six wickets.
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