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The clash of the titans! |
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August 27, 2000
SINGAPORE (AP) - Pakistan's grit and South Africa's versatility will be on show when the two sides clash Sunday in the final of the Singapore Challenge 2000 triangular cricket series at Kallang ground.
The South Africans bounced back nicely on Friday with a resounding eight-wicket win over New Zealand after having lost to Pakistan in their opening game.
Pakistan, with an all-win record in the league games, have displayed an admirable temperament while defending moderate totals on a flat wicket and a small ground.
South Africa's strengths are its all-round skills. The presence of four genuine all-rounders - Shaun Pollock, Lance Klusener, Jacques Kallis and Nicky Boje - not only means that they bat deep down the order, but it also gives their attack plenty of depth and variety.
Then there is Andrew Hall, who seems to have specialized in the art of bowling at the death.
Openers Gary Kirsten and Hall have provided solid starts, but Pollock's main worry appears to be a suspect middle-order that caved in meekly when the two sides last met Wednesday. Pakistan won by 12 runs.
The fickle form of Jacques Kallis and Daryll Cullinan forced coach Graham Ford to include an additional batsman in the form of Boeta Dippenaar against New Zealand.
Pakistan, hit by injuries, will miss the dynamic Shahid Afridi, who hurt his left hand while fielding in the last match.
Apart from his ability to score quickly, Afridi is an outstanding fielder and bowls fast leg-breaks with deadly accuracy, making him a handy man to have in the line-up.
Afridi has been sent home, but is unlikely that his replacement Saleem Elahi, who reached here Saturday, will get to play the big game.
Afridi's absence will be offset somewhat by the return of experienced opener Saeed Anwar. The graceful left-hander had pulled out of the last game against South Africa with an injured knee, but is now ready to resume battle.
Anwar's return adds muscle to Pakistan's batting that has not really blossomed even though just about every one in the top-order has chipped in with useful scores.
The key to Pakistan's success has been their tight bowling in the middle overs by the likes of Azhar Mahmood, Arshad Khan and the remarkably accurate Abdur Razzaq, who has also mastered the art of reverse swing.
The
toss could be vital from South Africa's point of view because Pollock
may like to upset Pakistan's game plan of batting first by opting to take
first strike himself. |