Pakistan vs South Africa 2nd ODI: Pakistan seal maiden series win

Pakistan won a bilateral one-day international series against South Africa for the first time when they claimed a one-run victory in a thrilling finale in Port Elizabeth on Wednesday.

Pakistan now lead the three-match series 2-0 with one to play, their victory set up by a superb 102 from Ahmed Shehzad in a match reduced to 45 overs per side after early rain.

The visitors were sent into bat in South Africa's 500th ODI match and amassed a sizeable 262 all out on the back of Shehzad's ton and a pair of 42s from Sohaib Maqsood and Umar Akmal.

Dale Steyn continued his excellent recent form with the ball to record career-best figures of six for 39, a lone hand in a Proteas attack that otherwise battled to contain the visiting batsmen.

South Africa looked to have paced their chase well. Captain AB de Villiers smashed a whirlwind 74 from 45 balls and opener Hashim Amla fell two runs short of his century in the last ball of the penultimate over.

But needing nine off the final over to win with five wickets remaining, the impressive Junaid Khan (three for 42) bowled a number of yorkers that the South African batsmen could not get off the square.

The home side needed a six off the last ball but Khan's legside delivery flicked the pads of David Miller and raced to the fine leg boundary for a four as South Africa ended their innings on 261 for six.

The third and final one-day international will be played in Pretoria on Saturday.











Emirates Dubai Rugby Sevens continues to reach new highs!


November 27, 2013
It is the ultimate festival of rugby - where the world’s best players mix with the most enthusiastic amateurs, cheered on by the most passionate fans.

This year, up to 100,000 visitors will once again visit the Emirates Dubai Rugby Sevens to support 16 teams taking part in the second round of the men’s HSBC Sevens World Series tournament, and 12 in the opening round of this season’s IRB Women’s Sevens World Series.

Not just that - a record breaking 213 teams are taking part in the event’s Invitation Tournament, making it the biggest and best ever.

In the HSBC Sevens World Series, defending overall champions New Zealand set the standards for this season’s campaign with victory at the Gold Coast opening round last month. But England were in great form too, finishing third, and with four Dubai titles to their credit are now eyeing number five under new coach Simon Amor.

“After making a promising start to the series in Australia, we’ll be doing everything in our power to take another step forward at 7he Sevens,” said Amor. “England always get great support in Dubai and it undoubtedly gives us a real lift. It’s a great environment to play in.”

Amor’s predecessor with England was Ben Ryan, who has now accepted the fresh challenge of leading Fiji. Ryan led England to back-to-back wins in Dubai in 2010 and 2011, and has now set himself the goal of leading Fiji to a first Dubai title since it became an IRB Sevens World Series host venue 14 years ago.

“Dubai is always a superb tournament and as a coach here I’ve felt both the thrill of winning and the pain of losing in that incredible atmosphere,” he said. “I’ve been fortunate enough to win here twice, but amazingly Fiji hasn’t won Dubai since the World Series started back in 1999, and that is something that my players are desperate to put right.”

Dubai was proud to host the first round of the inaugural IRB Women’s Sevens World Series last year. New Zealand won that, and the overall title, but coach Sean Horan says the competition gets tougher all the time.

“We know that other teams will have gone away after World Cup and worked quite hard, so we are expecting them to come out hard in Dubai,” he said.

“We loved our Dubai experience last year, it’s a great tournament, and there’s always a great buzz about the place over all three days. We love how the crowds really get behind this event, and show their passion and support for teams and Sevens rugby.

“The crowds are great, the support is very passionate and the atmosphere always terrific. We are definitely looking forward to being back in Dubai – it’s a great place to kick off the IRB Women’s Sevens World Series and we’re itching to get our 2013/2014 campaign under way.”

IRB Tournament Director, Beth Coalter, says Dubai stands out among other rounds of both the HSBC Sevens World Series, and the IRB Women’s Sevens World Series, because it is the only one where the tournaments run alongside each other.

She said: “Dubai offers the fans and also the players something unique with so many different levels of competition taking place side by side, and with the internationals very much at the pinnacle.

“The men’s IRB teams arrive here having had a good look at each other at round one on the Gold Coast last month, where New Zealand won but the competition was fierce; and for the women this is the opening round of their World Series, so it is very exciting all round.”

Gary Chapman, Emirates’ President Group Services and dnata, said he is looking forward to another successful weekend of top class rugby, and is delighted that the Emirates Dubai Rugby Sevens remains so popular with visitors.

“The enduring popularity of the Emirates Airline Dubai Rugby Sevens with the people of the UAE gives us great pride and I am in no doubt the 2013 event will live up to expectations and once again make it the number one event on Dubai’s sporting and social calendar,” he said.

“The Dubai Rugby 7s continues to grow stronger every year and we are proud to be a part of the HSBC Sevens World Series.”

Vice President of the UAE Rugby Federation, Faisal Al Zarooni, said the Emirates Dubai Rugby Sevens is yet another opportunity to build on the growing enthusiasm for the game throughout the UAE.

He said: “The UAERF will continue attaining its goal of 5000 Emirati youth playing rugby on a weekly basis by the end of 2016.

“At the forefront of our agenda has been the development of the Shaheen team. The younger Emiratis who are joining the younger squads are showing an extremely positive, committed attitude and some promising talent which will ensure the future Shaheen team.

“We have gained support from the UAE National Olympic Committee and the UAE General Authority of Sports and Youth Welfare, this has enabled us to set some solid foundations in our efforts to promote the growth of rugby across the Emirates.”

The Emirates Dubai Rugby Sevens is not just a showcase for the best rugby action, there is also a weekend of great entertainment - with a particular focus on family fun this year.

Along with the HSBC World of Sport, entertainment for children also includes Saba’a’s 7s Club, and the opportunity to learn circus tricks. For the first time, there also is a designated family entrance to 7he Sevens, and 2000 seats designated for mums, dads and their children in the Air BP stand.

Entrance to Thursday’s action, which includes the opening day of the IRB Women’s Sevens World Series event, and the Invitation Tournaments, is free. Tickets are still available at the gate for Friday and Saturday, with children under the age of 12 entering free of charge on all three days if accompanied by an adult.

For more information on the tournament, log on to: www.dubairugby7s.com.

SOUTH AFRICA INNINGS

Junaid Khan bowled an excellent last over as Pakistan pulled off a nail-biting one-run victory in the second ODI at Port Elizabeth on Wednesday to take an unassailable 2-0 lead in the series.

Pakistan who were humbled 4-1 in the UAE recorded a historic series triumph with a memorable victory.

Chasing a challenging target of 263 in 45 overs, South Africa ended on 261-6 in 45 overs.

Skipper AB de Villiers smashed 74 off 45 balls with eight boundaries and two sixes to put South Africa on track.

AB de Villiers shared an enterprising 110-run stand for the fourth wicket with Amla who laid the foundation with a 87-run stand for the second wicket with Quinton de Kock (47).

South Africa needed a run a ball after the depature of AB de Villiers but Amla choked two short of a century and Duminy fell two balls later.

Junaid Khan had the best return of three for 42.

Are South Africa choking again as Duminy departs to a wonderful catch in the deep from Anwar Ali. SA 255-6 in 44.2 overs.    

JP Duminy c Anwar Ali b Junaid Khan 15 (18b 1x4 0x6)

Amla falls two short of century holing out to Hafeez. SA 254-5 in 44 overs.   

Hashim Amla c Mohammad Hafeez b Saeed Ajmal 98 (131b 7x4 0x6)

Duminy paddle sweeps Junaid to the fine leg fence. SA 252-4 in 43 overs needing 11 from the last two overs.

Amla cracks Ajmal past point to break the shackles. South Africa need 20 for 18 balls being 243-4 in 42 overs.

South Africa are 237-4 in 41 needing 26 from the last four overs.

South Africa are 232-4 in 40 overs with their Batting Powerplay yielding 52 for the loss of AB de Villiers. Proteas need 31 from 30 balls.

AB de Villiers cracks consecutive boundaries off Junaid before falling to a superb catch after having steered South Africa on course to victory. SA 227-4 in 38.4 overs.    

AB de Villiers c Shahid Afridi b Junaid Khan 78 (45b 9x4 2x6)

AB de Villiers has changed the equation of the run-chase as he continues flay the attack hammering three boundaries off Ali. SA 219-3 38 overs.

South Africa need 58 from 47 balls.

Amla gets into the cracking Junaid to the third man fence. SA 20503 in 37 overs.

Ajmal goes for 16 with AB de Villiers hammering a six and two boundaries. SA 196-3 in 36 overs.

AB de Villiers completes his half century by smashing Ajmal out of the ground.

AB de Villiers attacks Hafeez hammering a six over long-on and a boundary through the covers. SA 180-3 in 35 overs.

South Africa required 115 in 15 overs with seven wickets in hand.

AB de Villiers skips down the tracks and slams Bhatti through the covers for his first boundary. SA 128-3 in 27.3 overs.

Double strike by Afridi as Kallis attempts to sweep him only to be sky it to Ajmal. SA 117-3 in 25.4 overs.

Jacques Kallis c Saeed Ajmal b Shahid Afridi 6 (12b 0x4 0x6)

Amla completes his 22nd ODI half century and fourth against Pakistan. SA 116-2 in 25 overs.

Afridi strikes in his third over breaking the dangerous 87-run stand for the second wicket as Quinton dances down the track and clips straight to Misbah at silly midon. SA 96-2 in 21.4 overs.

Quinton de Kock c Misbah-ul-Haq b Shahid Afridi 47 (52b 3x4 1x6)

Amla punches Hafeez through the offside for a delightful boundary. Pak 45-1 in 13 overs.

Quinton slams a loose delivery from Junaid through extra cover for a boundary. SA 19-1 in 7 overs.

Quinton de Kock square drives Ali for his first boundary. SA 15-1 in 6 overs.

Junaid strikes in his third over finding the edge of Smith who gives a catch behind. SA 9-1 in 4.3 overs.    

Graeme Smith c Umar Akmal b Junaid Khan 1 (7b 0x4 0x6)

Amla cracks Ali through point for the first boundary of the innings. SA 8-0 in 4 overs.

Anwar Ali bowls a maiden to Amla. SA 1-0 in 2 overs.

PAKISTAN INNINGS

Pakistan spurred by a fluent century from Ahmed Shehzad (102) off 112 balls make a challenging 262 after being put into bat.

Shehzad cracked eight boundaries and two sixes sharing in a 124-run stand for the third wicket with Maqsood (42).

Akmal weighed in with a 42 off 30 balls with four boundaries and two sixes while Bhatti hit four lusty blows in his 14-ball cameo of 21 to swell Pakistan's total.

Steyn kept pegging Pakistan back to finish with excellent figures of 9-0-39-6.

Pakistan are all out for 262 in 45 overs.

Saeed Ajmal c Kallis b Steyn 0 (1b 0x4 0x6)

Steyn claims his fifth wicket as Akmal is caught behind with Pakistan being unsuccessful in overturning the verdict. Pak 261-9 in 44.4 overs.    

Umar Akmal c de Kock b Steyn 42 (30b 4x4 2x6)

Ali has been ajudged out for obstructing the field being hit going for a run. Pak 261-8 in 44.3 overs.    

Anwar Ali obstructing the field 7 (4b 1x4 0x6)

Kallis goes for 15 as Akmal chops him for a six over extra cover and Ali gets a boundary. Pak 256-7 in 44 overs.

Bhatti smashes three boundaries off Steyn before being caught behind. Pak 241-7 in 43 overs.    

Bilawal Bhatti c de Kock b Steyn 21 (14b 4x4 0x6)

Bhatti opens his account with boundary off McLaren through the covers. Pak Pak 229-6 in 42 overs.

Pakistan made 34-1 in the Batting Powerplay.

Steyn claims his third wicket inducing Afridi to jab straight to AB de Villiers at slip. Pak 214-6 in 39.5 overs.    

Shahid Afridi c de Villiers b Steyn 11 (13b 1x4 0x6)

McLaren goes for 15 as Akmal smashes a six over third man while Afridi pulls a bouncer to the square leg fence. Pak 208-5 in 39 overs.

Afridi survives as Tsotsobe fails to latch on to a skier while Akmal sends next one from McLaren screaming to the extra cover boundary. Pak 189-5 in 37 overs.

Shehzad fails to beat a superb throw from Tahir after being sent back. Pak 180-5 in 35 overs.

Ahmed Shehzad run out 102 (112b 8x4 2x6)

Tahir strikes as Misbah attempts to glance him only for Quinton to take a brilliant leg side catch. Pak 176-4 in 33.5 overs.

Misbah-ul-Haq c de Kock b Imran Tahir 12 (15b 1x4 0x6)

Shehzad completes his third ODI century off 108 balls having his eight boundaries and two sixes by driving Tahir for a single.

Shehzad moves into the 90s by smashing a huge six off McLaren. Pak 165-3 in 31 overs.

Misbah hits the first boundary with a reverse sweep off Tahir. Pak 156-3 in 30 overs.

McLaren gets a breakthrough ending the 124-run partnership as Maqsood scoops to Amla at extra cover. Pak 146-3 in 28.1 overs.    

Sohaib Maqsood c Amla b McLaren 42 (59b 3x4 0x6)

Shehzad gives Duminy the charge to hit the first six of the match over long.on. Pak 129-2 in 24 overs.

The 100 partnership between Shehzad and Maqsood comes off 106 balls.

Duminy goes for 12 in his first over with Shehzad and Maqsood picking up a boundary each. Pak 113-2 in 22 overs.

Shehzad completes his fifth ODI half century off 58 balls with a streaky boundary off Kallis. Pak 95-2 in 19 overs.

Shehzad sweeps Tahir for another boundary. Pak 75-2 in 16 overs.

Maqsood gets into his stride with consecutive boundaries to third man off McLaren. Pak 61-2 in 13 overs.

Pakistan are 42-2 at the end of the Powerplay overs.

Hafeez falls to Steyn again edging a short delivery to be caught behind. Pak 22-2 in 7 overs.

Mohammad Hafeez c de Kock b Steyn 8 (16b 0x4 0x6)

Shehzad hits the first boundary of the match slamming Tsotsobe to third man. Pak 15-1 in 4 overs.

Steyn draws first blood in the opening over knocking back the off stump of Jamshed with the fifth delivery of the match. Pak 2-1 in 1 over.

Nasir Jamshed b Steyn 2 (5b 0x4 0x6)

South Africa won the toss and put Pakistan into bat in a match reduced to 45 overs a side.

The toss has been delayed by rain and a wet outfield at Port Elizabeth.

Buoyant Pakistan are eyeing a maiden series win over in South Africa's landmark 500th one-day international at Port Elizabeth on Wednesday.

Pakistan have bounced with vengeance winning the first ODI at Cape Town by 23 runs.

After being humbled in their 'home' series in the UAE, Pakistan are a rejuvenated outfit squaring the T20 series.

Debutants Bilawal Bhatti and Anwar Ali have been a revelation being the star performers in their win on Sunday.

Follow Emirates 24|7 on Google News.