Adil Najam
I tuned into the game right as it was ending. Which, it turned out, was the best time of all to tune in!
The drama of the entire day packed into those three overs. And Abdul Razzak right there at the center of it all. Winning the day for Pakistan (playing against South Africa) in rather majestic style – especially with that 6-6-4 in the last over that gave him his century and Pakistan the game.
It had not been the best of days for Pakistani players. A short drive away from the Abu Dhabi where the second one day international was being played between Pakistan and South Africa, at the ICC headquarters in Dubai the ICC code of conduct commissioner Michael Beloff had rather summarily and hurriedly dismissed the appeals of Salman Butt and Mohammad Amir who had earlier been suspended on scandalous charges of spot-fixing.
With South Africa already one up in the 5 match ODI series and Pakistan team in disarray the South African total of 286-8 although by no means unattainable did seem a formidable one. As I tuned in it was the 47th over from South Africa and the screen flashed that Pakistan needed 32 runs from 16 balls and had two wickets in hand. Even as I was trying to get bearings on the game, Razzak tried to steal a run off a no-ball and Saeed Ajmal fumbled and was run out. I must say, I was not upbeat at that point.
That Razzak was able to hit a four off the next ball and then steal a run off the last ball of the over was a good omen. 25 runs required, 12 balls left, 1 wicket in hand. Razzak hits a six off the very first ball and the mood on of the crowd on the screen – and my own mood – begins to change! Another four and then a single off the fifth ball again left Razzak very much in charge. Shoaib Akhtar just needed to survive the one ball he was facing. He did.
And then the grand finale was truly grand. A six off the second ball brought Razzak to 99. Another six off the very next ball got him his century. And a four off the very next ball gave Pakistan the game. In good time, and in good style.
And there he was – very much the man of the moment and man of the match: Abdul Razzak: 109 Not Out, off 72 balls, with 7 fours and 10 sixes. And what should be make of Salman Butt and Mohammad Amir? Well, this was not their day!
Razzak pulls off another stunner to “again” cement his place in the team. Right when media was questioning his place in the team, he delivers a masterpiece.
On a side note, I am lost as to why ICC is unable to charge Butt, Asif and Amir, Don’t have an the proof yet ?
This had to be one of the most fascinating games of cricket ever played
The poor South African bowlers were really totally helpless in front of Razzak today. Lets see if we can keep this up in the next games.
Was this the best ODI innings ever by a Pakistani player? I watched it from the beginning. I can’t recall another one that can compare.
Amir and Salman Butt may be guilty, but the behavior of the ICC itself is bigoted now. Nt just today but the singling out of Pakistan again and again when similar things by other countries is ignored. Are these guys racists or do they only hate Pakistan?