It's really sad that my first reaction was 'that looks dodgy'. On reflection, it looks like an unlikely result that was largely due to momentum - a bit like Faulkner's innings the other day, a risky approach that looks brilliant when it comes off (and terrible when it goes wrong).
Sounds a bit like England.But isn't that Pakistan all over? They're capable of playing superb cricket one day, and on the next, look like they've never seen a bat or ball before
Pakistan have beaten Sri Lanka by chasing 302 in under 60 overs - they won with just 9 balls to spare having scored the last 195 in 33 and a bit overs.
You wouldn't have bet on that result this morning
It's a shame SA did not have the guts to go for the record run chase a couple of weeks ago - bottlers! On the other hand, I would never have heard the last of it
That's going to be quite an exciting three-match test series against the Aussies next month. South Africa are arguably the best side in the world at the moment; would be nice to see Aus brought back down to earth but if they win then maybe England aren't quite so bad as the media would have us believe.
It's a shame SA did not have the guts to go for the record run chase a couple of weeks ago - bottlers! On the other hand, I would never have heard the last of it
I watched that, and SA definetly bottled it. It was there for the taking and they were on course for it, very disappointing, (kind of.....)
Slightly different situation though - the run rate wasn't stiff, just the amount of runs needed. I do think that the record is going to be beaten soon though - batting wickets are generally getting easier and 450/470 on a flat track is not that hard.
The Pakistan chase today was something else though, that's not far short of 6 an over - with none of the fielding and bowling restrictions of a one-dayer. 300 in 57 overs would be a decent one-day chase. I think Misbah is some sort of genius to have got some sort of discipline into that side
Indeed. If he can get that side playing properly, I can see them climbing up the test rankings fairly soon.
Barring our own catastrophe, there has been some pretty entertaining test cricket lately, very much looking forward to SA vs Aussies