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Battle shifts to Dubai

The Cool & Cool Cup received a timely boost before the first match in Dubai on Tuesday as Pakistan all-rounder Abdul Razzaq played brilliantly.

The Cool & Cool Cup received a timely boost before the first match in Dubai on Tuesday as Pakistan all-rounder Abdul Razzaq played one of the brilliant match-winning knocks in the second one-day international at the Shaikh Zayed Stadium in Abu Dhabi on Sunday night.

Even in the second one-dayer against South Africa, Pakistan were at the receiving end till Razzaq played a superb knock and anchored Pakistan’s chase to perfection. Razzaq’s innings helped Pakistan halt their losses against South Africa in the series so far.

South Africa, having won the Twenty20s by a 2-0 margin, took a lead in the one-day series by winning the first one-dayer. However, with the ODI series now being tied at 1-1, the remaining three matches, all in Dubai, are expected to be keenly-contested ones.

A rejuvenated Pakistan team take on South Africa in the third one-dayer at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium today. Razzaq’s match-winning century seemed to have worked wonders for the confidence of Pakistan players. Smiles are back on their faces and the body language also changed drastically before the crucial encounter. They are back in Dubai, all set to face a well-balanced South African side, who lost the plot in the final few overs.

“We were on top of the game throughout the second match, but Razzaq’s superb knock saved Pakistan,” South African skipper Graeme Smith told reporters at a press conference in Grand Hyatt Hotel here on Monday.

An injured Smith is still not sure to play a part in the second one-dayer. He prefers to play the waiting game.

Pakistan have a very good record at the Dubai stadium, having won five out of their seven matches, while South Africa are set to play their first match on Tuesday.

However, Smith is not worried about such records. “In Abu Dhabi too, we were playing for the first time.”

Despite the victory in the last match, Pakistan coach Waqar Younis knows South Africa would be desperate for a fightback. “They are a dangerous side. Yesterday’s victory gave us a big boost. We needed this sort of a victory.

“This is the first time I am back in Dubai stadium as a coach, though I have been there before as a commentator. It is a brand new pitch; a fine one,” Waqar said.

The coach is extremely happy with the performance of his bowlers.

“We bowled really well throughout the series.”

Despite the fine knock by Razzaq, batting would still be a concern for him as Pakistan kept losing wickets at crucial times throughout the series. Mohammad Hafeez and Younis Khan had decent knocks, but Pakistan fans would look for a big one from their captain Shahid Afridi.

On the other hand, South African batting seems to be secure with Colin Ingram showing consistent form. Ingram’s opening partner, Hashim Amla, too has been playing well, and with the likes of AB de Villers and JP Duminy around, South Africa have enough fire power even if they have to field a side without Smith and Jacques Kallis.

Lonwabo Tsotsobe and Charl Langeveldt have already picked five wickets from two matches, while Johan Botha was impressive with three wickets.

pradeep@khaleejtimes.com