Story South Africa V Pakistan: 5 Test series - Pakistan leads by 42 runs

[GrayNicolls]

Very even sides. This series looks exciting already.

 

[Skater]

That match up idea is terrific it really gives me an idea about the strength of the two sides.

 

[Cricket_60]

Thanks for the comments GrayNicolls

Cheers Skateboarder, Yeah the match ups give an insight into the teams from my perspective, Everybody is welcome to express their views as well. Credit goes to Short leg who I took the idea from

 

[Cricket_60]

MATCH PREVIEW: SOUTH AFRICA A V PAKISTAN

Both teams have a golden opportunity in front of them, just at both ends of the scale. Pakistan will be looking to flog the African's and send a warning to the national team that they mean business while many players from the A side want to impress for national selection. All this equates to a fiery encounter between the two sides...

The Teams

South Africa A

B.Dippenaar
A.Bacher
N.McKenzie (c)
Z.de Bruyn
M.van Jaarsveld
M.van Wyk (wk)
A.Hall
P.Adams
C.Langeveldt
D.Pretorius
D.Steyn
12th man: M.Zondeki

Steyn will be looking to impress the selectors

Pakistan

S.Butt
I.Farhat
M.Yousuf
I.ul-Haq (c)
A.Razzaq
S.Afridi
K.Akmal (wk)
M.Sami
S.Akhtar
U.Gul
D.Kaneria
12th man: Y.Khan (inj)

Yousuf will be the danger man

The Pitch

This Newlands pitch has a thick covering of grass which will aid the seamers to an irresistible level. Expect heaps of seam and dart around the batsmen and also a hint of unexpected bounce. Batting first or at all on this pitch will not be an easy task...

The Weather

Day 1: Fine and Sunny, 22
Day 2: Fine weather continuing, 25
Day 3: Fine and cool, 18
Day 4: Cloud increasing, 19
Day 5: Light showers, 21

The Tip: Pakistan

No real surprises with the tip, can the A side prove the experts wrong?

The first warm up match is finally here, with Pakistan looking to get into form and the A side looking for an upset win, we should be in for a great game!

The Toss

South Africa A has won the toss and elected to bowl...

 

[Left_Hander]

Ahhh. Another Cricket_60 story. Should be fantastic mate! And I take it you are playing as Pakistan.

Good luck.

 

[Cricket_60]

TEAMS TAKE TO THE FIELD

The South African Cricket team is out onto the field and is being closely followed by Salman Butt and Imran Farhat. The contest is about to begin...

Umpires: R.Koertzen, A.Rauf

 

[Cricket_60]

Ahhh. Another Cricket_60 story. Should be fantastic mate! And I take it you are playing as Pakistan.

Good luck.

Thanks mate

I will actually be playing for South Africa A and South Africa this series.

 

[Cricket_60]

Pakistan in South Africa, Tour match
South Africa A V Pakistan
Newlands, Cape Town
1.02 PM: Day 1

PRETORIUS PICKS UP FIRST WICKET OF THE MATCH

Dewald Pretorius has given the home team and ideal start which some smart bowling and persistance. Butt was suckered into thinking the fourth ball of Pretorius' over would be another slow outswinger but was shocked when a 149 kmph ball hurried onto his middle stump. The young opener was late in his on drive and simply scooped it back to the waiting hands of Pretorius...

M.Yousuf 0(2)*
I.Farhat 2(21)*
S.Butt 19(37)
Pak: 1/22 (10)
Pakistan leads by 22 runs
9 wickets in hand

D.Pretorius 1/13 (5)
D.Steyn 0/9 (5)

Mohammad Yousuf joins Farhat at the crease?

M.Yousuf
Average: 51.51
Highest score: 223
Strike rate: 51.35

 

[kookaburra69]

great start for the "a" team

 

[Cricket_60]

Pakistan in South Africa, Tour match
South Africa A V Pakistan
Newlands, Cape Town
1.40 PM: Day 1

LUNCH DAY 1

Both teams have done well to make some progress but the shortened first session definitely goes to the A team. Both Pretorius and Steyn troubled both openers and got the early breakthrough with the wicket of Butt. Farhat does not look like staying around long, as he was been put down twice, once in the slips by van Jaarsveld and once at square leg by Charl Langeveldt. An interesting post lunch session awaits...

Pak: 1/24 (11)
Pakistan leads by 24 runs
9 wickets in hand

*Shortened session due to pitch problems

 

[Cricket_60]

Pakistan in South Africa, Tour match
South Africa A V Pakistan
Newlands, Cape Town
1.57 PM: Day 1

STEYN PROVES HIS WORTH

Dale Steyn has picked up the much anticipated wicket of Imran Farhat for just 4 runs. Farhat was drawn forward early after lunch into driving at a good leg cutter from Steyn. The ball shaped away enough to clip the outside edge and carry through easily to van Wyk who took a nice diving catch to his left. Pakistan need a partnership desperately...

I.ul-Haq 10(4)*
M.Yousuf 0(12)*
I.Farhat 4(37)
Pak: 2/35 (15)
Pakistan leads by 35 runs
8 wickets in hand

D.Pretorius 1/14 (7)
D.Steyn 1/21 (8)

The captain, Inzamam-ul-Haq arrives at the crease?

I.ul-Haq
Average: 51.24
Highest score: 329
Strike rate: 54.31

 

[Ramz]

pakistan in trouble.. inzi and yousaf must build a partnership and guide pakistan to a good total..

 

[MWaugh]

great to see you back mate. i love the history section you had there. the whole animated signatures etc are great. but to have a history and depth to the story counts even more IMO. love the match ups aswell mate. shows youve put alot of thought behind this story allready.

good luck mate

 

[Cricket_60]

Pakistan in South Africa, Tour match
South Africa A V Pakistan
Newlands, Cape Town
3.27 PM: Day 1

PRETORIUS CLAIMS HIS SECOND

A solid partnersip between the captain and Yousuf has steadied Pakistan despite the loss of the latter just before tea. The pair was looking like they would carry through a strong showing to lunch until Yousuf was trapped in front by a Pretorius inswinger for 46. This is a crucial breakthrough that will aid the South African's in their task of keeping Pakistan below 250 on a good bowling track...

A.Razzaq 0(4)*
I.ul-Haq 41(65)*
M.Yousuf 46(67)
Pak: 3/113 (35)
Pakistan leads by 113 runs
7 wickets in hand

D.Pretorius 2/43 (13)
D.Steyn 1/34 (13)
C.Langeveldt 0/23 (5)
A.Hall 0/13 (4)

Abdul Razzaq is the next man in?

A.Razzaq
Average: 28.56
Highest score: 134
Strike rate: 41.00

 

[GrayNicolls]

Are you Pakistan? Anyway, Come on South Africa "A"! This is brilliant! I love your stats as they come into bat!