SA All Out for 320 In Lahore as Malik Takes 4

Doosra Master
By SS
October 17 2003

Pakistan clawed their way back into this match with an inspired spell of bowling from the 2 Shoaib's. Shoaib Akhtar shook up Kallis, floored Kirsten, and got rid of McKenzie and Nel, as off spinner Shoaib Malik extracted big turn and took 4 for 42.

Pakistan will have settled for todays total after an awful first extended session. With South Africa going in at lunch on 140 plus for 2 and scoring at over 4 runs per over, the home team must have thought they were going to be chasing a huge total.

The Pakistani bowling was uninspired in the morning session with Shoaib Akhtar and Mushtaq Ahmed looking particularly below par. Mohamed Sami bowled a good line and Kaneria mesmerized the opposition with his guile. The Pakistani fielding was horrible to watch with catches being spilled all over the place. Moin Khan, Taufeeq Umer and Yasir Hameed all floored chances as the South Africans took full advantage of their hosts generosity.

Mushtaq Ahmed was at his frustrating best today, trying to bowl 6 different deliveries in every over and trying to take a wicket with every ball. Amongst some good deliveries he also bowled a lot of loose stuff. I feel that Danish Kaneria overshadowed the more experienced Mushtaq today and bowled a much tighter line, whilst looking more threatening.

Shoaib Malik was the surprise spinning starlet as his doosra caused havoc with the Africans. Shoaib who probably was not expected to bowl too many overs, extracted sharp spin, bounce and his control was excellent. Shoaib Malik is one of the most improved cricketers in the world and needs to be nurtured and handled carefully by his captains and he could turn out to be a real gem in both forms of cricket.

Shoaib Akhtar awoke from his slumber and changed things quickly with the removal from the crease of Kirsten and McKenzie in quick time. After this Shoaib Malik spun his web and accounted for 4 of the last 5 wickets.

Vice captain Mark Boucher took South Africa to a challenging total by scoring an aggressive 72 and will be hoping that his bowlers can put the relatively inexperienced Pakistani batting line up under pressure.

The Pakistani batting line up does not have too much experience and a solid start will be the key.