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JOHANNESBURG, Feb 2: Pakistan struggled in difficult batting conditions after being sent in by South Africa in a Twenty20 international at the Wanderers Stadium Friday.
Pakistan made 129 for eight, with only two batsmen reaching 20 against South Africa's all-pace attack on a hot, humid evening in which the bowlers were able to swing the ball and get movement off the pitch.
New cap Alfonso Thomas, who took a wicket with his first ball in international cricket, finished with three for 25.
A last over which brought 18 runs, including two sixes by Rana Naved-ul-Hasan off Johan van der Wath, gave Pakistan some hope.
Despite the conditions, Pakistan looked set for a good total when Kamran Akmal (21) and Mohammad Hafeez (25) put on 47 off 35 balls for the second wicket.
But Hafeez chipped a catch to cover off the last ball of Shaun Pollock's four-over spell and Pakistan quickly lost two more wickets, while Shahid Afridi had to retire hurt before he had scored after he was hit in the groin by a ball from Roger Telemachus.
Afridi returned at the fall of the fifth wicket but made only seven off 17 balls before being caught at backward point off a wild slog against Thomas, who gained impressive away swing and showed good control.
A rain interruption at 76 for four after 11.4 overs was another setback for the Pakistan innings.
The last over provided the drama of the innings.
Naved-ul-Hasan was dropped when he swung at Van der Wath and top-edged the ball. Wicketkeeper AB de Villiers ran back but could not hold the chance.
It proved costly because Naved slammed the last two balls of the innings over square leg for six to finish with 17 not out off seven balls.
Pakistan captain Inzamam-ul-Haq, batsman Mohammad Yousuf and fast bowler Mohammad Asif were rested.
South Africa rested several of their key players, including Jacques Kallis, Mark Boucher, Makhaya Ntini and Andre Nel ahead of the one-day series.
Scoreboard
PAKISTAN:
Imran Nazir c de Villiers b Thomas 5
Kamran Akmal c de Villiers b van der Wath 21
Mohammad Hafeez c van Wyk b Pollock 25
Shoaib Malik c Kemp b Morkel 15
Younis Khan run out 1
Shahid Afridi c Peterson b Thomas 7
Abdul Razzaq c de Villiers b Telemachus 10
Zulqarnain Haider c Smith b Thomas 5
Rana Naved-ul-Hasan not out 17
Abdur Rehman not out 4
EXTRAS (B-3, LB-9, W-7) 19
TOTAL (for eight wkts, 20 overs) 129
FALL OF WKTS: 1-5, 2-52, 3-62, 4-64, 5-90, 6-92, 7-103, 8-105.
DID NOT BAT: Shabbir Ahmed.
BOWLING: Pollock 4-0-26-1; Thomas 4-0-25-3 (2w); Telemachus 4-0-22-1 (2w); van der Wath 3-0-23-1 (1w); Morkel 4-1-16-1 (1w); Kemp 1-0-5-0 (1w).
SOUTH AFRICA: G.C. Smith, L.L. Bosman, A.B. de Villiers, M.N. van Wyk, J.M. Kemp, J.A. Morkel, S.M. Pollock, J.J. van der Wath, R.J. Peterson, R. Telemachus, A.C. Thomas.
UMPIRES: R.E. Koertzen and B.G. Jerling (both South Africa).
TV UMPIRE: K.H. Hurter (South Africa).
MATCH REFEREE: B.C. Broad (England).—Agencies
