OWN CORRESPONDENT, Sharjah | Tuesday 4.35pm.
PAKISTAN have been dismissed for 168 in the sixth Sharjah Cup one-dayer against South Africa as their batsmen failed to fire and good bowling and fielding by the South Africans took its toll.
Yousuf Youhana was the only batsman who really contributed, scoring 65 runs before being run-out in the last over by Shaun Pollock.
The Pakistanis could not gather any momentum as wickets fell with regularity and they lost the bulk of their batsmen for under 100 runs.
Pollock made a perfect start to the day’s proceedings bowling opener Imran Nazir for a duck to leave Pakistan 0/1 after one over.
South Africa were asked to field after Pakistan skipper Moin Khan won the toss and elected to bat.
New-man Charl Willoughby picked up two wickets on international debut, having Younis Khan caught for 15 by wicketkeeper Mark Boucher and then claimed the scalp of Wasim Akram for 19 when he had him caught by Derek Crookes.
Crookes also took a stick, that of Waqar Younis, who he bowled for two runs, taking Pakistan to 138/9.
Lance Klusener ran-out Abdur Razzaq for 14 after Pakistan lost two quick wickets to leave them reeling on 61/5. Imzimam Ul Haq was trapped leg-before-wicket by Klusener for 17, while Nantie Hayward brilliantly caught-and-bowled skipper Moin Khan for a duck.
Imzimam’s dismissal will, however, be queried, as the ball looked to be missing leg-stump by some way.
Klusener also dismissed Shahid Afridi for 26 runs when he was threatening to cut loose, but his leg-stump was removed by a clever piece of bowling.
Hayward then took his second wicket, that of Shaoib Akhtar, for seven. Ashraf Khan was the not-out batsman with two not-out.
Lance Klusener was the best of the South African bowlers, picking up two for 28 in ten overs, with Shaun Pollock getting one for 28 in nine.