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19 March 2024

2nd ODI in Dubai: Afridi shines as Pakistan level series 1-1

Pakistani cricketer Shahid Afridi takes a swing at the ball during the 3rd one-day international agaisnt Pakistan, at the Wanderers Stadium in Johannesburg on March 17, 2013. (AFP)

Published
By Cricket Correspondent with Agencies

Leg-spinner Shahid Afridi and paceman Mohammad Irfan shared six wickets as Pakistan thumped South Africa by 66 runs in the second day-night international in Dubai on Friday.

Afridi took 3-26 and Irfan finished with 3-53 as Pakistan defended a low total of 209 to square the five-match series at 1-1.

South Africa pulled off a sensational one-run win in the first match in Sharjah on Wednesday. The remaining matches will be played in Abu Dhabi (November 6 and 8) and in Sharjah (November 11).

Saeed Ajmal (2-15) also shared the bowling spoils as South Africa were bowled out for 143 in 40.4 overs with Ryan McLaren top-scoring with 29 not out.

"It was a really good performance, especially after getting out for a low score, our bowlers did the job for us again," said Pakistan skipper Misbah-ul Haq.

South African captain AB de Villiers admitted his team's batting was a concern.

"We have a few issues in the batting and it's up to us to turn it around. I'm very disappointed. Pakistan were too good for us."

Misbah attacked with slow bowlers as early as the fifth over, introducing Mohammad Hafeez who dried up the runs after Colin Ingram fell for four in the second over of the innings.

Ajmal accounted for Graeme Smith (14), who was bowled off his legs with South Africa on 43.

Six balls later Jean-Paul Duminy, who struck three boundaries in his 25, fell in paceman Mohammad Irfan's second spell, caught in the slips.

When on 21, Duminy completed 3,000 one-day runs in his 106th match.

Afridi struck with his first ball, trapping Faf du Plessis for 12 and in his next over he had dangerman De Villiers caught behind for 10, leaving South Africa reeling at 73-5.

It became 83-6 when Hafeez caught David Miller, who had made 11, in front of the wicket with a sharp delivery.

McLaren and Wayne Parnell (21) put on 35 for the seventh wicket but it only delayed the inevitable as South Africa slumped to their second lowest total against Pakistan, behind the 101 they made in Sharjah in 2000.

For Pakistan, Ahmed Shehzad was the mainstay with an 85-ball 58.

Hafeez (26), Afridi (26) and skipper Misbah (25) failed to capitalise on good starts as McLaren (4-34) and Morne Morkel (3-38) ran through the innings.

Shehzad had steadied the innings during a 48-run second wicket partnership with Hafeez and another 60 for the third wicket with Misbah before McLaren derailed the innings with a double strike.

Hafeez played on and was bowled in McLaren's first over.

When he had made eight, Misbah completed 1,000 one-day runs in 2013, becoming the third batsman to achieve the milestone after Australia's George Bailey and India's Virat Kohli.

But Misbah perished in rather soft fashion, flicking McLaren straight into the hands of mid-wicket. He hit a boundary and a six off 44 balls.

Pakistan needed Shehzad to keep going but the opener too fell an over later, caught and bowled off leg-spinner Imran Tahir to leave Pakistan in danger at 117-4. Shehzad hit four boundaries off 85 balls.

Umar Amin (14) and Umar Akmal (18) took Pakistan to 148 and into the power-play but both fell at the same score, Umar hitting Morkel straight into the hands of point while Amin edged McLaren's slow delivery to wicket-keeper AB de Villiers.

Afridi hit four boundaries off 20 balls while Wahab Riaz hit two sixes in his 18 to help Pakistan cross the 200-mark.

SOUTH AFRICA INNINGS

Pakistan spinners put up a brilliant show as they registered a convincing 66-run victory over South Africa to level the series 1-1 in the second ODI in the Dubai International Stadium.

Needing 210 to win, South Africa batsmen failed against a strong bowling attack consisting of Saeed Ajmal who took two wickets, Shahid Afridi who bagged three and Mohammad Hafeez who claimed one.

Mohammad Irfan though was expensive also accounted for three wickets as South Africa were bundled out for 143 in 40.4 overs.

Ryan McLaren was the topscorer with an unbeaten 29 while JP Duminy (25) and Wayne Parnell (21) were other scorers.

That's it. Afridi takes his third wicket as Pakistan seal a 66-run victory. SA 143-10 in 40.4 overs.

Imran Tahir st Umar Akmal b Shahid Afridi 3 (11b 0x4 0x6)

South Africa need 68 from 60 balls. The last pair putting up a brave fight. SA 142-9 in 40 overs.

Ajmal picks the ninth wicket. SA 131-9 in 37-4 overs.

L Tsotsobe lbw b Saeed Ajmal 4 (3b 1x4 0x6)

Another wicket as Pakistan scent victory. SA 126-8 in 37 overs.

M Morkel b Mohammad Irfan 5 (10b 0x4 0x6)

Batting powerplay come into effect. SA 119-7 in 35 overs.

Irfan breaks the partnership. It was going good but now it looks more or less over for the Proteas. SA 118-7 in 34.4 overs.

W Parnell c Umar Akmal b Mohammad Irfan 21 (22b 3x4 0x6)

South Africa need 97 from 96 balls. SA can't afford to relax too much. SA 113-6 in 34 overs.

A small partnership building up between Parnell and McLaren. But still a long way to go. SA 101-6 in 31 overs.

South Africa slumping as Pakistan spinners dominate. Hafeez this time and SA lose their sixth wicket. SA 83-6 in 27.4 overs.

D Miller lbw b Mohammad Hafeez 11 (19b 0x4 0x6)

Proteas need 129 from 138 balls. SA 81-5 in 27 overs.

Runs coming rarely for South Africa. It's getting tougher and tougher for them. SA 78-5 in 26 overs.

Afridi is the man again. He strikes to end De Villiers run. SA 73-5 in 24.2 overs.

AB de Villiers c Umar Akmal b Shahid Afridi 10 (21b 0x4 0x6)

Proteas need a big partnership. SA need 137 from 25 overs. SA 73-4 in 24 overs.

Afridi strikes in his very first ball and Du Plessis returns. It's trouble for them now. SA 66-4 in 22.1 overs.

F du Plessis lbw b Shahid Afridi 12 (32b 1x4 0x6)

Spin still dominating in the middle. Misbah mixing his options well. SA 62-3 in 20 overs.

South Africa need 152 from 192 balls. SA 58-3 in 18 overs.

It's becoming increasingly difficult for South African to bat on this wicket. SA 50-3 in 16 overs.

Misbah brings in Irfan and he responds in style removing Duminy. South Africa in a state of bother. SA 49-3 in 14.3 overs.

JP Duminy c Mohammad Hafeez b Mohammad Irfan 25 (45b 3x4 0x6)

Fine bowling from Ajmal. Bowls Smith behind his legs. Pakistan dominating at the moment. SA 43-2 in 13.4 overs.

G Smith b Saeed Ajmal 14 (35b 0x4 0x6)

Partnership is 35 as SA are 42-1 in 13 overs.

Successive maidens for Pakistan. It's Ajmal this time. Pressure building on South Africa. SA 37-1 in 12 overs.

It's a maiden from Hafeez. SA 37-1 in 11 overs.

End of powerplay. Pakistan bowlers have done a good job. SA 37-1 in 10 overs.

Pakistan lose a review there but spinners are getting good support from the wicket. SA 33-1 in 9 overs.

Ajmal's getting the turn there. He must be happy with that. Just one run in that over. SA 29-1 in 7 overs

South Africa are 28-1 in 6 overs.

Duminy has been getting those odd boundaries to keep the scoreboard ticking. SA 27-1 in 5 overs.

Proteas need 188 from 46 overs. SA 22-1 in 4 overs.

Good over with Duminy getting a boundary of the last ball. SA 17-1 in 3 overs.

Terrific over from Tanvir. SA 8-1 in 2 overs.

Early success for Pakistan. Great delivery from Sohail Tanvir as Ingram is bowled. SA 7-1 in 1.2 overs.

C Ingram b Sohail Tanvir 4 (4b 1x4 0x6)

Overthrow from Afridi goes to the boundary as South Africa make a positive start. SA 5-0 in 1 over.

PAKISTAN INNINGS

Ahmed Shehzad scored an half century as Pakistan posted 209 all out in 49.4 overs.

Pakistan failed to have any big partnership but Shehzad's 85-ball 58 and decent contributions from Mohammad Hafeez (26), Misbah Ul-Haq (25), Umar Akmal (18), Shahid Afridi (26) ensured Pakistan had a respectable total.

A fighting 18 from Wahab Riaz meant they managed to get past the 200-run mark.

For South Africa, Ryan McLaren bagged four wickets while Mornie Morkel took three.

That's the last wicket to fall and Pakistan fold up for 209.

Wahab Riaz c du Plessis b Parnell 18 (24b 0x4 2x6)

Pakistan lose another. Ajmal is lbw and Pakistan are 200-9 in 47.2 overs.

Saeed Ajmal lbw b McLaren 0 (1b 0x4 0x6)

A brief cameo and that's the end of Afridi. Does not get the shot right as he holes one to Smith at mid-off.

Shahid Afridi c Smith b Morkel 26 (20b 4x4 0x6)

Afridi gets one straight over the bowler for a fine boundary. More such shots needed. Pak 185-7 in 46 overs.

Afridi is trying all his shots. Pakistan will hope he remains till the end. Pak 175-4 in 44 overs.

That was the last thing Pakistan wanted at this stage. Tanvir is run out and Pak are 170-7 in 42.4 overs.

Sohail Tanvir run out 9 (24b 1x4 0x6)

Afridi gets cracking. Two boundaries from him. Pak 168-6 in 42 overs.

All hopes on Afridi now if Pakistan were to aim for a big total. Pak 155-6 in 40 overs.

There's a collapse here. Another wicket falls here. Pak 148-6 in 37.3 overs.

Umar Amin c de Villiers b McLaren 14 (25b 1x4 0x6)

Akmal was looking good but offers an easy catch as Proteas celebrate. Pak 148-5 in 37 overs.

Umar Akmal c Ingram b Morkel 18 (32b 2x4 0x6)

Tight overs from SA bowlers. Another good over. Pak 144-4 in 36 overs.

Just one run from that over. Pakistan have another 15 overs to go and have some big hitters. Pak 143-4 in 35 overs.

Pakistan are 142-4 in 34 overs.

The run flow has ceased again. Some big hits desperately needed for Pakistan. Pak 123-4 in 30 overs.

Tahir strikes for South Africa. Pakistan are slipping here. They really don't want a repeat of what happenend in Sharjah. Pak 117-4 in 28.3 overs.

Ahmed Shehzad c & b Imran Tahir 58 (85b 4x4 0x6)

Pakistan are 116-3 in 28 overs.

South Africa taste success as McLaren strikes again. Pak 112-3 in 27.2 overs.

Misbah-ul-Haq c Miller b McLaren 25 (44b 1x4 1x6)

Misbah gets a boundary. Pak 110-2 in 26 overs.

Halfway through but Pakistan don't have a very pleasing total. But they have the wickets. Pak 103-2 in 25 overs.

Eventful over. Misbah slams the first six of the innings while Shehzad gets his half century, his third consecutive 50. Pak 98-2 in 23 overs.

Just one run and Pakistan are 86-2 in 22 overs.

Pakistan are 85-2 in 21 overs.

Boundary from Shehzad takes him to 45. Pak 82-2 in 20 overs.

Run rate below four now. It's too slow for Pakistan. Pak 72-2 in 19 overs.

Runs coming in singles at the moment. Pak 70-2 in 18 overs.

South African bowlers are doing a great job stopping the Pakistan batsmen from dominating. Pak 66-2 in 17 overs.

Shehzad looking good on 29, but he has still a lot to do. Pak 60-2 in 15 overs.

Things have slowed down since the wicket fell. They need to focus on another big partnership. Pak 57-2 in 14 overs.

Misbah joins Shehzad. Pak 54-2 in 13 overs.

McLaren strikes in his first over as Hafeez fails again. Made a good start but played on off a McLaren delivery. Pak 52-2 in 11.5 overs.

Mohammad Hafeez b McLaren 26 (32b 4x4 0x6)

Shehzad getting boundaries frequently. Pak 41-1 in 11 overs.

Pakistan are 40-1 in 10 overs.

Runs coming in more easily for Pakistan. Shehzad looks impressive going for his shots. Pak 35-1 in 9 overs.

Shehzad and Hafeez settle in slowly. Pak 25-1 in 8 overs.

Some runs for Pakistan. A boundary included and Pak are 15-1 in 7 overs.

It's a maiden over from Tstosobe. He has just given two runs from his three overs. Pakistan need some big hitting now. Pak 8-1 in 6 overs.

Pakistan still finding it tough to score freely. Good start for SA as they build the pressure. Pak 8-1 in 5 overs.

Tstosobe continues to impress. Another good over with just one run from it. Pak 5-1 in 4 overs.

Brilliant catch from Tstosobe as Pakistan lose their first wicket. Jamshed out. Pak 4-1 in 2.5 overs.

Nasir Jamshed c L Tsotsobe b M Morkel 1 (7b, 0x4, 0x6)

Tstosobe bowls a fine over. Just one run off it. Pak 3-0 in 2 overs.

Ahmed Shehzad and Nasir Jamshed prepare to open as Mornie Morkel takes the ball for the Proteas. Pakistan will look for a good batting display after the disaster in the first ODI in Sharjah. Pak 2-0 in 1 over.

Former Pakistan players Aamir Sohail and Sarfraz Nawaz have blamed flamboyant all-rounder Shahid Afridi for their stunning defeat in the first ODI in Sharjah against South Africa.

“All our batsmen failed to deliver but it was Afridi who had an easy opportunity to win the game for Pakistan,” former captain Sohail said in an interview with APP.

“We needed 7 to 8 runs on more than 40 balls when Afridi went for the big hit and gave it in the hands of David Miller. Afridi should have realised what his responsibility was.”

Stunned by Pakistan’s dramatic defeat to South Africa in the first ODI in Sharjah, former captain Aamir Sohail launched a scathing attack on ‘experienced’ all-rounder Shahid Afridi, whose irresponsible shot, according to Sohail, gifted the match to the Proteas.

South Africa snatched a one-run victory after Pakistan lost their last six wickets for 17 runs in 39 balls on Wednesday.

Former fast bowler Nawaz also held Afridi, a veteran of 363 ODIs, responsible for Pakistan’s defeat, adding that the all-rounder needed to be ‘rested’ now.

“It seems that only Misbah-ul-Haq is in form and the rest of the batsmen are there for nothing,” Nawaz added.

A disgruntled Pakistan captain Misbah-ul-Haq on Thursday urged his team to move on after gifting a one-run win to South Africa and called on his batsmen to rectify their mistakes.

Pakistan snatched the proverbial “defeat from the jaws of a win” in the first of five one-day internationals in Sharjah on Wednesday.

Chasing a modest 184-run target, Pakistan were in sight of victory at 165-4 in the 41st over, but lost their last six wickets off just 39 balls in the space of 17 runs.

But Misbah said Friday's second game in Dubai was altogether a different prospect.

“If we keep recalling about what happened in the last match it will be difficult. We must forget that and all our players should play the next match as a new game,” said Misbah.

For South Africa, Wayne Parnell shone with both bat and ball, hitting a career best 56 in South Africa's 183 all out in 49.5 overs before taking 3-41 in his eight overs. He was deservedly declared man-of-the-match.

Misbah said he was once again disappointed at his batsmen's failures.

“The last six batsmen should have batted, knowing how many runs were needed to score. It is very disappointing that they played very irresponsible shots,” he said.

“I think it is high time players understand how to play under such situations,” added Misbah, whose dismissal for 31 in the 36th over proved to be the turning point.

Ahmed Shehzad set the tone with a confident 58 but once he and Misbah fell, Pakistan's batting collapsed.

Umar Akmal (18), Umar Amin (20) and Shahid Afridi (nine) fell in the space of 11 runs before Morne Morkel bowled Mohammad Irfan to seal an unlikely win for South Africa.

“I think we could say that my dismissal and then those of Amin and Umar were crucial and after that Afridi was left alone and we wanted him to stay there till the end,” said Misbah.

Misbah urged his batsmen to learn from Parnell and Lonwabo Tsotsobe (16 not out) who added an invaluable 52 runs for South Africa's ninth wicket.

“Our batsmen should also rise to the challenge in such situations,” said Misbah.

“We just needed two runs an over and one and half runs per over and I don't know what was going through the batsmen's mind, maybe, they over-relaxed a little bit.”

South African captain AB de Villiers said his team never lost hope.

“South Africans always believe we can turn things around. When you get a sniff you have drive it home,” said De Villiers, who praised leg-spinner Imran tahir for his return of 3-45.

“Immi (Tahir) was fantastic. Have to also give credit to Tsotsobe for his two wickets. Immi followed him and did his magic.”

De Villiers said South Africa's poor batting display was unfathomable.

“I cannot find the reason, sometimes we get low scores and sometimes we play well but I won't stop believing we will play every match and every game like we always do,” said De Villiers whose team recovered from 129-8 to post 183 in Sharjah.

“I believe we will get there and keep working on it. It is a funny old game and we have seen this before and things can turn around very quickly.”

The remaining matches will be played in Abu Dhabi (November 6 and 8) and Sharjah (November 11).

The teams will also play two Twenty20 internationals in Dubai on November 13 and 15.