LAHORE, 4 October 2003 — Boeta Dippenaar’s maiden one-day century proved insufficient to save South Africa yesterday as the tourists surrendered to the extreme pace of Shoaib Akhtar, the bowler leading Pakistan to a dramatic eight-run win in their first one-day international. The match, watched by a full-house of 25,000 at the Gaddafi stadium, saw South Africa restricted to 269 for six as they chased a challenging total of 277 for six.
Requiring 26 in the final two overs, South Africa took 13 in the penultimate over by Akhtar, but Mohammad Sami kept his nerve in the final over, conceding just four runs. South Africa lost despite two century partnerships posted by Dippenaar, who remained not out on 110 from 131 balls — his highest one-day score.
Dippenaar, who was drafted in to open the innings after Herschelle Gibbs had to withdraw with a pulled stomach muscle, put on 138 with skipper Graeme Smith, 71 (99 balls, six fours), and 101 from 108 balls with Neil McKenzie 62 (62 balls, five fours). But in the end it was the 28-year-old Akhtar who had the last laugh, bowling in heavily dewy conditions that were not helpful to either side.
Akhtar broke the opening stand in the 27th over, getting Smith caught at mid-on by Inzamam ul-Haq — who took a low catch — and than bowled Jacques Kallis in the next over. He returned for his third spell with South Africa requiring 49 in six overs and proceeded to take the wickets of McKenzie and Mark Boucher in the 47th over to bring Pakistan back into the match.
McKenzie started the South Africa slide when he was out caught at deep point by Mohammad Hafeez after they had appeared on course for a win. But it was a disappointing evening for leg spinner Mushtaq Ahmed, who, playing in his first match for Pakistan since October 2000, returned figures of none for 65.
Earlier, allrounder Shoaib Malik produced a stunning innings of 82 from 41 balls to propel Pakistan to an imposing total. Malik came into bat in the 39th over and took the South African attack apart in the final 10 overs in a spectacular blitz that included six fours and six sixes.
The 21-year-old, playing in his 49th match, reached his half century from just 35 balls with five fours and two sixes.
He hit Pollock and Kallis for two sixes each in the final two overs. The Pakistan total included half centuries from Yasir Hameed and Yousuf Youhanna, but it was Malik who set the crowd alight as Pakistan racked up 105 runs in the final ten overs, and 66 in the last five.
Security concerns had overshadowed the start of the match but the crowd were treated to a fascinating battle between the two sides as South Africa played for the first time in Pakistan since 1998.
Ramesh Cracks Century
to Advance Test Claims
India A opener Sadagopan Ramesh staked his claim for a Test place with a fluent 110 on day two of a three-day match against New Zealand in Rajkot yesterday. Ramesh, 27, who has not played Test cricket since 2001, struck 19 fours as he shared a 164-run opening stand with Akash Chopra (66) to guide India A to 216 for four in reply to New Zealand’s 375 for seven declared.
But Chopra, who made a century in the Kiwis’ first tour match in Visakhapatnam last week, is still favorite to be picked for next week’s first test in Ahmedabad. The Indian selectors are expected to name their squad today. New Zealand, 299 for five at the start of the day, were lifted by Jacob Oram’s unbeaten 101, including 11 fours and three sixes, after Mark Richardson retired hurt on his overnight 128. Chopra and Ramesh punished New Zealand’s frontline bowlers before Chopra skied an attempted drive off seamer Oram.
Ramesh received a life on 96, when he edged left-arm spinner Daniel Vettori to slip, where Scott Styris spilled a simple chance.
Wishart Rescues
Zimbabwe at Waca
Craig Wishart scored 93 not out to rescue Zimbabwe from an early collapse on the first day of their tour match against Western Australia at the WACA yesterday.
Wishart followed his unbeaten 63 against the Australian Chairman’s XI on Wednesday with another rescue mission after the African’s top-order crumbled, openers Dion Ebrahim and Trevor Gripper contributing a combined total of 17 runs.
Wishart came to the crease with Zimbabwe in trouble at 65 for three and they quickly slumped further to 89 for five. But he slowly rebuilt the innings, surviving to reach stumps within sight of a century as his team moved on to 254 for seven.
Wishart faced 213 balls and struck 18 boundaries, sharing an unbroken 80-run partnership with his captain Heath Streak who reached the close on 45. Paul Wilson, Jo Angel and Darren Wates captured two wickets apiece for Western Australia.
