Turning Points

Pakistan v South Africa - #BendTheRules Moments

#BendTheRules Moments from the Group B match between Pakistan and South Africa

The reverse sweep was on show during AB de Villiers' cameo, Ireland v South Africa, World Cup 2015, Group B, Canberra, March 3, 2015

AB de Villiers plundered Pakistan's bowlers for seven fours and five sixes in his 58-ball 77  •  Getty Images

8.4 Abbott to Ahmed Shehzad, OUT, Dale Steyn is the man as he pulls off a breathtaking catch as he was running away towards long on/cow corner in an attempt to get at this mistimed chip over midwicket. In the end is able to dive with both hands outstretched to pluck this just inches from the ground, with his momentum carrying him forward as he finished like a killer whale on the stage at SeaWorld Ahmed Shehzad c Steyn b Abbott 18 (35m 30b 4x4 0x6) SR: 60.00
16.4 Imran Tahir to Sarfraz Ahmed, 1 run, OUT, comes down before clipping away the bowler through backward square. Was gunning for the second the whole time as the man at square-leg is able to pick it up and fire in a throw at the stumps, with de Kock doing the rest. Sarfraz put in a hopeful dive, but is well short of his ground. Sad way to end a promising knock from the Pakistani opener, who was certainly threatening to dictate terms here in Auckland. It was David Miller who pulled off that good work in the field Sarfraz Ahmed run out 49 (75m 49b 5x4 3x6) SR: 100.00
26.4 de Villiers to Younis Khan, OUT, and AB has produced the goods after all as Younis, who was looking to guide this away off the back foot through mid-on, ends up getting a leading edge which flies over to the fielder at cover, who snaps it up gleefully. Younis goes as South Africa make a decisive inroad into this Pakistan batting line-up Younis Khan c Rossouw b de Villiers 37 (68m 44b 4x4 0x6) SR: 84.09
36.5 Morkel to Umar Akmal, OUT, the extra bounce undoes Akmal as he looks to target cow corner with another lusty blow, but ends up top-edging this to AB at midwicket, who is able to complete the catch despite falling onto his back. There was a moment where he looked like he might have grounded it as he had a look of astonishment on his face, but I have come to believe that not even AB can believe himself at times. Umar Akmal c de Villiers b Morkel 13 (23m 20b 2x4 0x6) SR: 65.00
43.5 Steyn to Misbah-ul-Haq, OUT, and the plan comes off perfectly for Steyn as Misbah goes chasing after this short delivery outside of off which he ramps straight to Morne, who barely had to move from his original position at third man. Misbah has to go as Pakistan look to blast as many as possible in these remaining overs Misbah-ul-Haq c Morkel b Steyn 56 (106m 86b 4x4 0x6) SR: 65.11
0.2 Mohammad Irfan to de Kock, OUT, Irfan sets Eden Park on fire as he delivers a peach of a delivery outside of off which de Kock, looking to angle away through mid-on, ends up getting a thick outside edge as Sarfraz completes the take from behind. The umpire doesn't hesitate too long to give this one, as Pakistan have South Africa one down with nothing on the board Q de Kock c †Sarfraz Ahmed b Mohammad Irfan 0 (1m 2b 0x4 0x6) SR: 0.00
9.3 Rahat Ali to du Plessis, OUT, Rahat succeeds in getting Faf to nibble at this shortish length which seems to have climbed a bit more than expected on Faf as he tried to run it down through third man, but instead feathers an edge to Sarfraz, who completes it quite easily F du Plessis c †Sarfraz Ahmed b Rahat Ali 27 (29b 3x4 1x6) SR: 93.10
10.1 Wahab Riaz to Amla, OUT, and Riaz has taken the big wicket of Amla as he seems to have been surprised by the lack of bounce as he ends up giving a low, outside edge to the keeper to this length delivery going across. Sarfraz is able to get low to his right to pluck this with one hand before hitting the ground. HM Amla c †Sarfraz Ahmed b Wahab Riaz 38 (27b 9x4 0x6) SR: 140.74
15.5 Rahat Ali to Miller, OUT, unleashes a wonderful yorker on middle which Miller appears to be late on. Looked out as soon as it struck really. Miller wants the review though. Replays show this went on to hit the back pad, so that may hurt his chances for this being given, but it is red all the way down, so Miller has to go, and South Africa are now five down with still quite a bit to do DA Miller lbw b Rahat Ali 0 (13b 0x4 0x6) SR: 0.00
19.4 Mohammad Irfan to Duminy, OUT, Riaz just can't be kept out of the action as JP, looking to hook this one away over backward square, ends up top-edging this short of a length over to Wahab, stationed at deep fine leg, who is over the moon as he falls away to the right to claim this JP Duminy c Wahab Riaz b Mohammad Irfan 12 (13b 2x4 0x6) SR: 92.30
32.2 Sohail Khan to de Villiers, OUT, AB comes down the track to this short delivery, with the intention of blasting this over long on, but ends up feathering an outside edge to Sarfraz, who has been safe as houses behind the stumps. That could be the end for South Africa as AB departs for a courageous 77
#BendTheRules Moments from the Group B match between Pakistan and South Africa