South Africa vs Zimbabwe & Pakistan, October-November 2010/11

[Insomniac]

Another close finish, Pakistan win by 1 wicket and 1 ball to spare!

So the 5th game is all set up for a thrilling finale - the series could so easily be 4-0 SA or 3-1 Pakistan right now instead of 2-2.

 

[MUFC1987]

This series is what cricket should always be like. Close finishes are always great to watch.

I thought Haider might have thrown it away when he didn't take the hit for Riaz.

 

[Rohit Doshi]

Really happy to see Pakistan win few matches. They deserve some winning too after scandals and more scandals.

Also one word for South Africa... Fail in Death overs

 

[StinkyBoHoon]

I guess it would be fair to say these two teams are pretty evenly matched.

 

[aussie1st]

Wow what an awesome series this is turning out to be. This is just what Pakistan needed after all that mess. It's great to see more tighter contest around the world now.

 

[BKB1991]

I think cricket overall is at its best after quite some time. We have had some awesome series recently and generally all the teams have been competitive with each other.

Didnt see tonights game, but I am watching the highlights.

 

[Gunner786]

whoever said odi's are finished and 20/20 is the future,

will 20/20 give you the drama and the emotion of the last 3 odi's in this series?

 

[BKB1991]

What a game. Just saw the highlights and even though I knew the result it was still an entertaining watch. South Africans have choked big time in the close chases, but I think credit must be given to Pakistan they have started to chase well. In the past we have seen how they simply roled out so it was very pleasing.

Great to see some exceptional performances. Akhtar really gives it all now and I reckon he really wants to make use of his last chance. Riaz is another very adequate ODI bowler and along with Gul these two could be the perfect death bowlers. Rehman has also impressed but is likely to fall behind Ajmal and Afridi in the spin department but its good to know we have depth.

The batting is finally started to gel together. I have been a critic of Younis in the ODIs but one thing about Younis is that he does know how to guide a runchase unlike Yousef. He held one end firm and gave a sense of calm to the team. Hafeez as an opener is starting to show the form that he is, but needs to make use of the starts hes getting and really needs to continue. His bowling is also pretty useful. Shafiq is an impressive talent, but with Akmal and Yousef sitting out you can say he wont necessarily be a starter inour final XI. Alam has also looked good, but needs to play within his limits, hes not one that can push the scoring so should try and stick to his natural game. With Razzaq @ 7 we have got a great finisher and Afridi is the only one who needs to sort himself out. Riaz has also turned into a good slogger

Although the signs are good, we shouldnt be fooled, we have played some great cricket, but our batting is still not world class and we need a strong showing against SA in the final ODI and the tests as well.

 

[stefan]

Theron has to play in this team. Has been very good at the death for us.

I also think smith made a bad call yesterday. I know steyn is our best bowler but wasn't on song and at times can struggle in the death overs so for me parnell should have bowled most of the death overs. I know he didn't have a great day and bowled a few wides. But as a death bowler he is the best in the side that was out there. As he showed when he nearly defended 4 runs of the last over.

For me I still think a theron/parnell combo is our best option for the death.

I have been very happy with m.morkel this series. He usually struggles in these sub continental conditions especially in odi cricket but he hasn't had a bad game yet.

 

[AkshayS]

Wow, what a close yet again, Pakistan did it brilliantly. Younis was awesome and suddenly the depth in Pakistani batting looks promising considering players are performing. Younis was awesome in this match, well placed innings.

Good for Pakistan cricket after all the mess. Riaz was brilliant with the bat and Akhtar has been pretty consistent in picking wickets since his return.

 

[ZexyZahid]

This has got to be the most exciting ODI series I've ever seen. I expected, like everyone else, that South Africa would easily beat Pakistan. But Pakistan is showing a great fight. Personally I feel they should have won the 3rd ODI as well.

 

[sami ullah khan]

Pakistan has been involved in two very good 5 match series this year. Its a shame some people here have repeatedly called for axing of Pakistan from ICC.

 

[Iridium]

Anyone see this?

Pakistan news: Zulqarnain Haider reportedly goes missing | Pakistan Cricket News | Cricinfo.com

Not sure what's going on. Hopefully it turns out to be nothing serious.

 

[ZexyZahid]

I just this read this too. What's going on there? The 5th ODI was about to start after about one hour.

This was the message on Facebook, that made him leave:

"leaving pakistan cricket because get bad msg fr 1 man fr lose the match in last game."

 

[Iridium]

It's all so mysterious... More to do with match fixing perhaps?