Pakistan v South Africa, Nottingham

Pakistan v South Africa, Nottingham - June 5, 1999 by Muhammad Asim

Scorecard:

Until South Africa met Australia, it was hard to imagine a better World Cup match than this, the meeting of the two group winners – the green giants. It had everything: subtlety, suspense, searing pace, great hitting, and a slow build-up to a pulsating finish. Pakistan chose to bat, started like snails, lost Inzamam-ul-Haq to a run-out, and left it all to Moin Khan, who took 15 off the 47th over, from Donald, flicking him nonchalantly over his shoulder for six.

Of the four star fast bowlers in the match, the best was the youngest, Shoaib Akhtar, touching 95 mph on the Speedster – belatedly introduced for the Super Six – and clearly alarming Cronje, who promoted himself to weather the storm and was caught at third man. At 58 for five after 20 overs, South Africa were sinking. The orthodoxy of Kallis and Pollock kept them afloat, and Klusener, once again, walked on water. But even he struggled to get bat on Shoaib, and a target of 66 from ten overs became 41 off 27 balls. Then Shoaib made a single crucial error, slipping Klusener a bouncer which was edged for four. Scenting blood, Klusener pulled a length ball for six, and rounded off the over with four leg-byes. With only 27 now needed off 24 balls. Pakistan’s last hope was to dismiss Klusener. Eventually, he did sky a chance to Saeed Anwar, who dropped it; the ball was in the air so long that the batsmen scampered the two runs needed for victory.