South Africa are wary of a backlash by the beleaguered Pakistan cricketers who have lost three matches in a row in Abu Dhabi when they clash in the second one-day international at Zayed Cricket Stadium on Sunday.
Having won the two Twenty20 matches comfortably and recording an eight-wicket triumph in the first one-day game on Friday, the Proteas will not allow complacency to creep into their game but are eager to continue their winning streak before the series moves to Dubai.
“It was a quite tough match. Pakistan were 140 for 1 at one stage and at that situation we were a bit worried. But we put in a really good second half and our batters really looked in control from the start,” said Johan Botha speaking at the post-match conference when asked whether there was a gulf in class between the two sides.
“But we know how aggressive the Pakistan team is and they will come back strong on Sunday. We are aware of that and we want to definitely make it 2-0 on our way to Dubai,” said Botha who led Proteas to a 2-0 victory in the Twenty20 series.
The South African are also concerned with the fitness of skipper Graeme Smith and veteran all-rounder Jacque Kallis who retired hurt during the run-chase.
Smith received a harsh blow to the fifth digit on his left hand from pacer Shoaib Akhtar while Kallis was carried off the field because of severe cramping after top scoring with 66. AB de Villiers made a fluent 51 to set them on course to victory.
“Smith’s X-ray scans show that there are no new fractures to his left hand, only soft tissue swelling and bony contusion. He is under the care of the physiotherapist and we will reassess his injury in the next day or two,” said Team Manager, Dr Mohammed Moosajee.
“Kallis had to be connected to an intravenous line after suffering from dehydration on the field. He was recovering from a viral infection which triggered his initial bout of nausea and dizziness, which led to the severe dehydration and cramping,” he added.
But with the Pakistan camp in a state of disarray after losing three key players in the wake of spot-fixing allegations, South Africa are capable of turning the screws on the opposition with their young guns firing all cylinders.
Off spinner Botha who claimed the wickets of opener Mohammad Hafeez (68) and former captain Younis Khan (54) to break their 114-run second wicket stand, praised his team for their fine all-round performance.
“I think we were under quite a bit of pressure in the middle overs and to get that two wickets was really good for us. Then our seamers came back and finished the job really well. That was the important stage of the game but all in all we really had a good day in the field today,” said Botha.
However, left arm paceman Lonwabo Tsotsobe struck a double blow removing the in-form Misbah ul Haq and skipper Shahid Afridi within the space of four balls to trigger another sensational Pakistan collapse losing six wickets for 26 runs to be all out for a meagre 203.
“Key is to get quality players and take a grip on the game. Tsotsobe came back well and bowled in the right areas to pick those wickets. The wicket is not as easy as everyone thinks it is. 240 to
250 could be a really good score,” said Botha.
“I have been working very hard on my bowling. I think the hard work I have put in is paying off right now,” said Tsotsobe who claimed career best figures of four for 27.
Botha, however, ruled out they were set for a clean sweep in the five-match one-day series as well. “It’s a long way for that. We know that Pakistan on their day is a dangerous side. One of their bowlers can turn up and take wickets in a spell of three or four overs then our batters will be under pressure,” he said.
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