ISLAMABAD – Pakistan skipper Sarfaraz Ahmed likened Haris Sohail to Englandmaster blaster Jos Buttler on Sunday, saying his innings was the turningpoint in Pakistan’s win over South Africa at Lord’s.
Pakistan revived their chances of reaching the last four of the World Cupby beating South Africa by 49 runs.
Sohail smashed nine fours and three sixes during his knock of 89 in 59balls, putting on 81 for the fourth wicket with Babar Azam (69) and 71 forthe fifth wicket with Imad Wasim (23).
That lifted Pakistan to an impressive 308-7 before Wahab Riaz (3-46),Shadab Khan (3-50) and Mohammad Amir (2-49) restricted South Africa to259-9 in their 50 overs.
The defeat for the Proteas means they can no longer reach the World Cupsemi-finals.
“Haris was hungry to play in this game,” said Sarfaraz of the left-hander,who was dropped after scoring just eight in Pakistan’s opening defeatagainst the West Indies.
“He’s the main factor, the turning point, the way he batted in the last 15overs, it was like Buttler.”
Pakistan added 124 runs in the last 15 overs.
Pakistan brought in Sohail and fast bowler Shaheen Shah Afridi in place ofShoaib Malik and Hasan Ali after the defeat to bitter rivals India inManchester last week.
They desperately needed a win after three defeats in five games togetherwith one victory and one match rained off.
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“We changed the combination in this game,” said Sarfaraz, who wascriticised for poor captaincy in the India game. “We went with anothercombination in the last game so sometimes change is good for the team.”
Sarfaraz praised his bowlers for taking wickets regularly.
“I think credit goes to Amir and Wahab who took early wickets and thenShadab was really good in the middle overs,” said Sarfaraz.
Pakistan are now seventh in the 10-team table, with five points. They havegames against New Zealand, Afghanistan and Bangladesh to come.
Sarfaraz admitted his team still needed to improve their sloppy fielding.
“We have to work harder on fielding,” said Sarfaraz, whose team droppedfive catches against South Africa, with Amir alone grassing three.
“We once again dropped so many catches so now with all three matches verycrucial we have to sort it out so that it could support our bowling.”-APP/AFP
