More Humiliation for Pakistan

After losing test series, they also also lost the only T20. Everybody still thought Pakistan might be able to fight back in the ODI series. But that did not happen as Pakistan lost in the first ODI of the 5-match ODI series. Again this time, Pakistan was not able to put forth a battle.

In this first ODI, Pakistan won the toss and elected to field. Decision didn't turn out to be good. Asif, as usual, did bowl magnificently at the beginning but Naved-ul-Hassan conceded to many runs. Then Naved was changed to Sami, he couldn't stop the run flow either. At this point Pakistan really needed wickets that they weren't able to get. First wicket fell down 140 in 19th over when Akmal stumped Smith. 2nd wicket also fell down in the same over, just 4 runs after the first one when Boseman got out for just 4. AB de Villiers did not stand for too long after either. He got for 67 when team had 167 runs.

Kallis and Prince together, again started to help the runs. They contributed 68 runs on 4th wicket stand when Afridi got Prince out for 39. Then Mark Boucher walked in. At this time the total score was 235 and 38th over was being bowled.

5th wicket stand brought runs. These 2 players together played 10.2 overs and contributed 128 runs with a run rate of above 12. Finally, Boucher got out for 78 runs that he scored off just 38 balls.

6th wicket of Kemp also fell quickly and in 50 overs South Africa managed to get to 392, a massive total. Kallis was the top scorer with his 88 not out.

From Pakistan, Hafeez, Afridi and Naved-ul-Hassan picked up 2,2 wickets each.

Pakistan was mortified even more when they came out to bat and lost wickets consistently. No body was able to stand in for Pakistan except Yousuf, Malik and Sami. But they weren't that good to trouble the South Africans. Yousuf scored 39. Pakistan were 8 wickets down for 125 when Sami and Malik put forth a 73 runs stand on 9th wicket. Then Sami got out 46. Last wicket also fell quickly after the 9th one. All team was out for 228. Malik was the top scorer with 52 noth out.

South Africa one the game 164 runs. Kallis was Player of the Match for his aggressive not out inning of 88.

Pakistan is now down in the series 1-0. After losing this match so badly, I don't see how they can fight in this series. They should think over their strategies again, so in the next ODI they don't lose this bad.