A burst of powerful hitting by Yusuf Pathan spurred India to a thrilling two-wicket win in the third one-day international against South Africa at Newlands on Tuesday.
Chasing a target of 221, India were struggling at 93 for five before Pathan launched a savage assault against South African off-spinners Johan Botha and JP Duminy.
On a pitch where most batsmen found it difficult to play positive strokes, Pathan, making his first appearance in the series, struck 59 off 50 balls as India took a 2-1 lead in the five-match series.
Fast bowler Morne Morkel took three for 26 and fellow paceman Dale Steyn claimed two for 31 but could not stop India from getting home with ten balls to spare. Harbhajan Singh made a crucial 23 not out, including two sixes.
"If I get the ball in my area, I go for it," said Pathan.
Indian captain Mahendra Songh Dhoni said he encouraged the young players in his team to play their natural game.
"We want Yusuf to play the game he plays," said Dhoni.
"As he gets more experience he will turn into a match-finishing batsman."
Proteas captain Graeme Smith said the quality of the pitch had not helped either side's batting.
The match changed dramatically in the 28th over of the Indian innings when Pathan, on six, edged Botha for a four between wicketkeeper AB de Villiers and Smith at slip.
Pathan swept the next delivery and Lonwabo Tsotsobe, running in from the boundary to try to take a catch, misjudged the ball and it went for another four.
In the next over from Duminy, Pathan again swept in the air and Morkel also misjudged the ball in contemplating a catch and another boundary was the result.
Then Pathan struck three sixes off four balls from Botha, all sailing over a fielder at deep mid-wicket.
No comments:
Post a Comment