The game started at a cracking pace; the first four overs featured accurate pace bowling, then the batsmen began to dominate with a flurry of boundaries coming from a wide range of shots and despite this barrage the fielding was of the highest standard. Imran once again showed us a glimpse of an up and coming star, driving straight with impunity and employing the horizontal bat shots to deal with the short-pitched deliveries. He combined perfectly with an assured Shahid Afridi who played with a calmness that I haven't seen before in his batting.

Their exhilarating partnership was only ended by an unbelievable catch taken as Jacques Kallis was running towards the boundary, took a peek over his shoulder and as he glimpsed the ball, timed his dive perfectly to complete a miraculous grab. In the circumstances it was the best outfield catch live seen. Kallis effort and an old ball that was swinging, provided South Africa with a lift and Lance Klusener who is enjoying a bowling revival claimed a couple of important victims. However, Inzamam Ul-Haq and Yousuf Youhana who have developed a good understanding, had a steadying partnership that involved steady batting early and then plundering a few boundaries once the innings was back on an even keel. When they were separated, Abdur Razzaq utilized his keen eye and unique style to add some valuable quick runs and propel Pakistan to an extremely competitive total on the best pitch of the tournament.

The Pakistani attack has been improving throughout the series and they started well, Wasim Akram ripping out the dangerous Herschelle Gibbs and Mohammad Akram accounting for the equally important Kallis. That brought together Neil McKenzie who had been promoted to open and Hansie Cronje and the skipper went on the attack immediately. Cronje announced his intentions with a huge clout that landed in a private box and he followed it with two more sixes off Arshad Khan. However, he went for the doctor once too often and the operation finished unsuccessfully, in the hands of deep mid-on.

Still South Africa refused to yield as the nerveless Mark Boucher kept the required rate in bounds, but at the other end Waqar Younis regularly removed his partners. Waqar took wickets with consecutive deliveries, the second one being the horribly out of form Klusener, which made amends for a poor start by the fast bowler. Razzaq then made a blunder, dropping a straightforward catch from Boucher, but Waqar saved him any embarrassment by bowling the obdurate keeper.

Razzaq then had the honour of finishing the match and Pakistan had added to their already good record in Sharjah. This ended a drought period for Pakistan, but they haven't been idle while losing and this team is rebuilding into a strong outfit, one that shouldn't have any trouble with the West Indies.

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