FAISALABAD, Oct 26: The performance of the Sharks rugby union team in the Currie Cup helped to inspire South Africa’s Shaun Pollock to one of his best bowling performances against Pakistan on Sunday.

The 30-year-old bowler took six wickets for 78 to bring South Africa back into the second test and said the performance of the Sharks, who reached the South African Currie Cup final on Saturday, had been a factor.

“Yeah the Sharks inspired me to perform. I follow their performances very passionately,” he said.

The Sharks are from Durban, Pollock’s home city, and qualified for the final of the South African Currie Cup by beating Western Province 28-25.

Pollock said he also had fond memories of the Iqbal Stadium in Faisalabad where he took five for 37 in 1997 to bowl South Africa to their only Test win in Pakistan.

“I even chose to bowl from the same wicket-taking end in this Test and the pitch looks to be similar to what we played on here last time.

“I feel confident about bowling on this ground. You know you have done it before. It has a bit more bounce and some pace in it and it helped me work out my leg cutters and bouncers very well.”

Pollock’s effort helped South Africa to bowl out Pakistan for 348 on Sunday after they had been 237-2 overnight.

“We knew we had to come out and strike early to get back into the game as we were staring down the barrel of defeat. The boys also backed very well and we came through,” Pollock said.

Pollock said he felt the batsmen would have to be positive and lay a foundation for victory when they came out to bat on Monday.

“It is no use thinking about what is enough. We have to win this match to save the series and we just have to be positive and apply pressure on them,” he said.—Reuters