The World T20 was proving to be an uninteresting one in the initial group stage, due to lack of wit in the scheduling of the tournament and then after because of the ruthless weather that disturbed some of the high voltage games. The Super 8s got a resounding start with the game featuring the host and ever dark horses, the Kiwis. This game went down to a tie then followed by a super over which Sri Lanka eventually won. The next game was not as close as the first one but nonetheless, it was a fabulous game too which died in the last over after an extraordinary Morgan show.

The group 2 clashes started-off with the high-octane contest between South Africa and Pakistan. In the recent past, both the sides have proved to be the perfect rivals in ICC events; Pakistan’s unpredictability and South Africa’s ultra-predictability are the perfect amalgam to fuel this exciting contest. South Africa got what they wanted after winning the toss i.e. batting first on a pitch that was a tad dry. Pakistan started horribly in the field but with young Raza Hassan with his nerve of steel tide down the South African and Arfat drawing the first blood by picking the ever-dangerous Amla.

Both Kallis and Levi failed to cut lose against the relentless control of the young left armed finger spinner. Pakistan firmed the grip with the spinners and run rate suffocated. A tactical blunder was made on the part of the South African management by keeping de Villiers as low as No. 6. Their best man against spin came when just 8 overs were left, surely, too little time for the caliber of a player like him. South Africa labored their way to an under par looking total of 133. Pakistan bowling hit the straps first time in the tournament and functioned liked a well-oiled machine. Gul also came back well after a mega six from de Villers to avoid any more causality as such.

A sensible chase from a much-fancied batting line-up was expected especially after the two thumping run chases in the past few days. It started-off with the blitz from the bat of Nazir, Hafeez joining the party with his elegant stokes. Nazir provided a flyer to the Pakistanis and they were well set and truly on the course for the victory, an early finish smelled. South Africa being South Africa was not willing to give even an inch without the fight. Nazir was gone as a result of the slower bouncer, which triggered the famous Pakistani batting slump. The top order sledded away in no time and suddenly Pakistan was 7 down with, not much on the board.

Umar Akmal was the lone hope in the darks of a looming defeat. Pakistan succumbed to their own medicine, over the past two years, so many times Pakistan spinners squeezed out the life by the turning ball. It was appearing that Pakistan had to let go fo the game, which should have been a cake walk. No joy it would have been, had it been like that. Pakistan being the team it is, drama erupted once more, Gul slogged a pull over the square leg and then there was folklore of a miracle in the making. It was a bowler who travelled to all the parts of the park in Pallekele and being the leader of the pack, brought into the attack just before the penultimate over. He really let his all the frustration out with the bat in the hand. Young Umar Akmal played a Maindad on the other end, minimizing the risks and exploding when was needed at the end. South Africa after being banged hard was shell shocked by the Gull onslaught. They missed a trick by not bouncing Gul through the faster men after Gul pulled Kallis and Albie Morkel over mid-wicket for sixes.

Both Morne Morkel and Steyn bowled him full though Gul pulled well but pulling 130 km/h is one thing and pulling 145 km/h is another. De Villers led the side very well; in fact captaincy from both the captains was classy and effective. This emphatic win will go long way for the possibilities for Pakistan in the tournament. It will pump up the boys like nothing other could have, the feeling of coming back and wining from anywhere will accompany them now. South Africa will feel an opportunity went begging but nothing a lot that they could have done to change it, Pakistan just snatched the game away. The greatest worry will be Steyn’s foot, which got a cracking thunderbolt from Umar Akmal’s bat. Steyn’s withdrawal from the tournament with both the games to win to stay alive is the last thing, they would have imagined.