Related Links : South Africa in Pakistan 2007/08 : Scorecard
A responsible century from the reliable Mohammad Yousuf and a good show from the pacers has helped Pakistan win the second ODI at Lahore. A victory of 25 runs in the 2nd ODI happens to be Shoaib Malik’s first taste of success at this form of the game at home. Pakistan managed to defend its total of 265 after a batting collapse from the Proteas.
This time round, it was Pakistan to bat first having won the toss. Pakistan had a dismal start losing its openers cheaply. The recovery process was partly done by the pair of Younis and Yousuf before the former was run out after contributing 32. In the 19th over, it was the Skipper Shoaib Malik taking the responsibility to rebuild the innings and he did that in the company of Mohammad Yousuf. Both the right handers were successful in their mission as they took their side to 180 for 4. Shoaib Malik departed after making an important 56 that came in 52 balls which included four smashing sixes. Yousuf almost batted till the end scoring 117 facing 143 balls with the aid of 9 fours. Pak finished at 265 for 9 with middle order bat Misbah-ul-Haq chipping in with a run-a-ball 21. Shaun Pollock was yet again very economical, this time his figures were 1 for 29 in his 10. Ntini, Langeveldt and Albie Morkel took a couple of wickets each.
The homeside were given a perfect start with the ball by Umar Gul and Sohail Tanvir which saw two early wickets go down. While Umar Gul sent back last match centurion – Herschelle Gibbs for a first ball duck in the 1st over, left armer Sohail Tanvir removed the big fish Jacques Kallis, who was also gone for a duck. The SA innings went on a similar note to that of the Pakistani one with a fighting stand been put up for the third wicket. Last match centurion AB de Villiers made 35 in a partnership of 76 with his Skipper Graeme Smith before being dismissed by Iftikhar Anjum. From 80 for 3, South Africa’s innings never really took off with wickets pegging back the progress. Graeme Smith managed to squeeze in a half century, 65 from 96 with 5 fours which wasn’t long enough to save his side from a defeat. There were fighting thirties from Pollock (37 from 46 with 2 fours and a six) and Albie Morkel (31 from 28 with 3 fours and a six) but the required run rate was always making it difficult.
South Africa were bowled out for 240 in 49.3 overs with Umar Gul and Iftikhar Anjum taking three wickets each. The two spinners – Shahid Afridi and Abdur Rehman played their part in keeping it tight in the middle overs. The Man of the Match award had to go the centurion of the day – Mohammad Yousuf.