AUCKLAND : Drafted into the playing XI for the first time in the ongoing cricket World Cup, Pakistan wicketkeeper Sarfraz Ahmed made an instant impact with a record-equalling six catches and 49 runs in the team’s upset win over South Africa, here today.
The other players to have effected six dismissals in a One-day International match include Australia’s Adam Gilchrist, India’s Mahendra Singh Dhoni, South Africans Mark Boucher and Quinton de Kock, West Indies’ Ridley Jacobs, England’s Alec Stewart, Jos Butler, Matt Prior and Scotland’s Matthew Cross.
Pakistan, who recorded their third win in pool B, rose to third in the table and Man of the Match Sarfraz played a key role after giving his team a good start while opening the batting and then combined with the pacers to stop South Africa from reaching their D/L revised target.
Sarfraz, who missed the first four games as Pakistan chose Umar Akmal to keep wickets, scored a run-a-ball knock, laced with five fours and three sixes to contribute to the team’s 222 all out in in 46.4 overs.
But it was his work behind the stumps that really mattered as the keeper took some stunning catches to give the Pakistan pacers Mohammad Irfan, Sohail Khan, Rahat Ali and Wahab Riaz the right support.
It all started with Quinton de Kock’s (0) wicket off Irfan and then he brought the downfall of Hashim Amla (38) and Faf de Plessis (27).
Dale Steyn (16) and De Villiers (77) also saw the white ball sail into Sarfraz’s gloves and the final wicket off Imran Tahir (0) sounded the death knell for South Africa.
The 27-year-old Safraz, who would have been itching to make a mark in the 50-over showpiece event, certainly impressed one and all with his all-round show. (AGENCIES)
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