South Africa barely raised a sweat in defeating Pakistan by 10 wickets in front of a capacity crowd of 30 000 in their Standard Bank Pro20 match at the Wanderers on Friday night.
A record first wicket partnership of 132 between Graeme Smith and Loots Bosman took South Africa to an easy victory, with eight overs and three balls in hand. Their innings lasted just 53 minutes.
Smith won the toss and sent Pakistan in to bat. Debutant Alfonso Thomas had a dream introduction to international cricket, taking a wicket with his first delivery, and two more wickets in his final over, to end with figures of three for 25.
Pakistan, with a number of players brought into the squad after the Test series, appeared all at sea. Mohammad Hafeez top scored for the visitors, with 25, but most of the Pakistan batsmen appeared to be intent on smashing the ball to all corners of the field off every delivery, and this led to their downfall. Shahid Afridi, who holds the world record for the fastest one-day century, had to leave the field after being hit in the box by Roger Telemachus, and although he returned later, was able to score only seven runs.
Albie Morkel achieved a rarity in 20-over cricket, with a maiden over that included a wicket, and all the bowlers, except for Justin Kemp, who bowled just one over.
Rana Naved added a modicum of respectability to Pakistan’s total by smashing 18 runs off the last over to give Pakistan a total of 129 for eight.
A target of 130 was never going to be enough, and Smith and Bosman had a field day, racing to 50 off 35 balls, and 100 off 62.
Bosman’s own half century came off 27 deliveries, and included five fours and two sixes, while Smith’s came off 35 balls and included seven fours and two sixes.
Smith finished unbeaten on 71, including nine fours and four sixes -‒ the last of which he smashed to win the match. Bosman, who finished on 53, was named ”Master Blaster” for his whirlwind 50.
Smith was delighted by the victory, but said it had no real bearing on the one-day international series, which begins at Supersport Park in Centurion on Sunday.
”Tomorrow we’ll have to get our heads around the one-day format again,” he said he had sympathy for the players who had hoped to stamp their authority during this match.
”Guys like Morne [van Wyk] and Albie Morkel didn’t get a chance to show us what they could do,” he said.
”An abject performance,” was the way Pakistan coach Bob Woolmer described Pakistan’s effort. ”We didn’t play good cricket, and South Africa outplayed us in every aspect. But maybe this is a good wake-up call ahead of the one-dayers.”
Woolmer expressed concern that the International Cricket Council (ICC) might promote 20-over cricket at the expense of 50-over matches.
”The international itinerary is crowded enough already,” he said. ”If they keep 20/20 as a fun part of a tour, that’s one thing, but I fear that it could spell the end of the 50-over game.” – Sapa