1st ODI: South Africa v Pakistan at Durban, 8 Dec 2002 CricInfo Live Report

1st ODI: South Africa v Pakistan at Durban, 8 Dec 2002
Keith Lane

Pakistan innings: 20 Overs, All Out,
Pre-game: Toss,
South Africa innings: 30 overs, 50 Overs,

CONVINCING WIN FOR SOUTH AFRICA
South Africa have won the first Standard Bank One-Day international against Pakistan in Durban by a convincing 132 runs, after bowling the visitors out for 140 in 42.5 overs.

Saleem Elahi struggled with the pace and bounce of the pitch but managed to work his way to 31 when he was caught by Kallis at first slip. Kallis diving down to his left got two hands on a flyer from Ntini to leave Pakistan on 78 for four.

A threatening partnership between Younis Khan and Abdur Razzaq was broken when the former tried to loft Boje over the cover rope only to be caught by Smith for 17. Younis Khan had earlier edged Ntini to Boucher only to be given not out by umpire Neil Mallender. The replay of the incident was shown to all on the big screen with the umpire looking a little embarrassed.

With Abdur Razzaq losing his wicket the match was all but over. Trying to loft Boje over long off ended with Donald taking the catch at long off leaving Pakistan at 116 for six wickets.

A few lusty blows from Wasim Akram (14) in which he hit Boje for consecutive sixes came to an end when he attacked Pollock to be caught at wide mid off.

For South Africa the bowlers were in excellent form with Pollock leading from the front taking 3/12 in 9,5 overs.

PAKISTAN NOT OFF TO A GOOD START
The Pakistan openers Taufeeq Umar and Saleem Elahi came out to chase the 273 run target starting very slowly to some tight bowling from Ntini and particularly Pollock.

Ntini's line and pace troubled Taufeeq Umar and he never looked comfortable eventually being bowled by Ntini for seven and Pakistan 19 for one in the eight over.

After having had such a good tour of Zimbabwe Yousuf Youhanna came to the crease looking to up the run rate. Targeting Donald in his first over he mistimed a drive, scooping it to mid off when on eight and Pakistan 36 for two in the thirteenth over.

Inzamam-ul-Haq became the fourth wicket when he tried to work Kallis to third man. Not the best footwork and the ball close to the body, he bottom edged the dab into the stumps for 11 and Pakistan in trouble at 55 for three in the 18th over.

Saleem Elahi (22) and Younis Khan (2) saw out the 20 overs with Pakistan 60/3.

KINGSMEAD SEES RHODES AT HIS BEST
South Africa, thanks to Jonty Rhodes and Shaun Pollock, recovered from an ominous beginning to end the innings on 272/7.

With Graeme Smith and Jacques Kallis at the crease, all was not lost, but when Kallis top edged a pull off Abdur Razzaq to be caught for six and South Africa 86 for four the Pakistan bowlers would have felt well pleased with their effort.

In walked the Kingsmead hero and played one of the innings of his career. Never falling to far from a run a ball Rhodes stroked, pulled and hooked the bowlers to all parts of the ground. Severe on Abdur Razzaq and patient with Wasim Akram he eventually, unselfishly, lost his wicket on 98 caught after top edging Waqar Younis to Rashid Latif. By the time he left the crease the score had moved to 250 for seven.

Graeme Smith who started off slowly built on his confidence to end on 56 bowled by a reverse swinging yorker from Wasim Akram. Boucher did not trouble, bowled second ball by the same bowler after dragging the ball on from outside the off.

Pollock supported Rhodes waiting for the final overs to unleash some devastating boundaries, one six climbing into the upper tier of the Kingsmead stands. His undefeated 57 coming of 51 balls, including three sixes and two fours.

For Pakistan Wasim Akram was magnificent. Three crucial wickets to end on 19/3 off his ten overs. He bowled a brilliant line and length, getting the ball to move in and away through the air and off the pitch. He was even better once the ball started reversing.

Abdur Razzaq however was the disappointments. Bowling short and a lot slower than we have seen from him. At that pace he was crucified by first Rhodes and later by Pollock.

SOUTH AFRICA MAKE HEAVY WEATHER
South Africa made heavy weather of the start of the innings, losing three early wickets and being restricted to 84/3 after the first 20 overs.

Wasim Akram started the innings well, bowling a good line and length, assisted by movement both ways through the air and off the pitch beating the bat of both Graeme Smith and Herschelle Gibbs.

It was Gibbs who got the first edge, a feint one to Rashid Latif to be caught without scoring and South Africa six for the loss of one at the end of three overs.

Neil McKenzie came to the crease and looked to be in a positive mood, twice dispatching Waqar Younis to the fence.

Waqar Younis was taken out of the attack after being expensive and replaced by Mohammad Sami who captured the wicket of McKenzie with the first ball he bowled. A shortish ball was pulled very well but straight at Yousuf Youhana at midwicket. McKenzie out for 11 and South Africa 33 for two.

A strange decision was that South Africa sent in Nicky Boje at number four. It seemed to be the correct choice until he too tried to pull Mohammad Sami only to splice it to mid on and out for 20.

PAKISTAN WIN THE TOSS AND FIELD
Pakistan and South Africa meet in the first of five Standard Bank One-Day Internationals at Kingsmead in Durban.

Rain has fallen all week and the pitch is expected to assist the bowlers all day which was evident when Pakistan won the toss and decided to put South Africa in to bat.

South African Team: GC Smith, HH Gibbs, ND McKenzie, JH Kallis, JN Rhodes, MV Boucher, SM Pollock, L Klusener, N Boje, AA Donald, M Ntini, HH Dippenaar.

Pakistan Team: Taufeeq Umar, Rashid Latif, Saleem Elahi, Wasim Akram, Yousuf Youhana, Saqlain Mushtaq, Inzamam-ul-Haq, Waqar Younis, Younis Khan, Mohammad Sami, Abdur Razzaq, Faisal Iqbal.