Abdul Razzaq

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SA Hold Edge Despite Razzaq Miracle

By sportsillustrated on | From sportsillustrated.co.za

Pakistan’s victories are rarely unspectacular. They rarely win without a blitz from the blue or a jaw-dropping demonstration of fast bowling.

They almost always leave it late, and to a few men, sending their fans from despair to delight. But because Pakistan rely so much on moments of individual genius to overcome collective, sustained efficiency, they don’t win as much as less exciting sides do.

Like well-oiled South Africa, who won ten consecutive one-day internationals before being blind-sided by Abdul Razzaq. Pakistan are certainly the more memorable side, in victory or defeat, but South Africa unquestionably the more successful. Even if South Africa go on to take the series 4-1, the stand-out match and performance could still be Razzaq’s heist.

It’s a back-handed compliment of sorts but Pakistan would probably be willing to swap some of their breathtaking tendencies for mundane, run-of-the-mill victories. But that isn’t this Pakistan’s way.

So as the series moves to Dubai, South Africa will enter Tuesday’s game as favourites once again, simply because it’s likelier that Hashim Amla will provide a solid start, which his team-mates in the middle order will convert into a substantial performance. And it’s likelier that Pakistan’s batsmen will combust, whether from their indiscretions or South Africa’s superiority.

Should that come to pass, ODI No. 3064 is likely to fade from memory quickly.

But if it doesn’t, and Razzaq or another temperamental Pakistan player produces a mercurial performance, the battle between these two very different teams will be worth the watch.

Courtesy of Cricinfo