Super over ends Botswana�s hopes in world cricket

Dumisani Ncube | Monday November 24, 2014 12:58

Botswana won the toss and elected to field. Wicket keeper, Karabo Motlhanka got an early wicket in the first over, catching an Azhar Sohail shot from a James Moses delivery.

Hard-hitting batsman, Ali Malik came in to partner Ali Mirza. Botswana bowlers, Adithiya Rangaswamy and Moses made solid deliveries that gave the batsmen a hard time. With only two runs to his name, Malik was out by  the sixth over from another catch by Motlhanka through a Thatayaone Tshose delivery. Mirza followed in the eighth over, after Thabang Nshomane bowled him out.

Shahzab Khan and Assim Siddique revived the sinking Pakistan ship, scoring a number of runs that enabled their team to close on 126. There were 22 extras in the inning. Botswana started batting on a poor note due to the tight Pakistan fielding. With only six runs, Botswana lost Mothlanka and Karabo Modise from Imran Imzi’s deliveries.  Pakistan’s fielding frustrated hard-hitting batsman, Saad Mohyuddin who failed to thrive. His 22-run partnership with Akram Chad was broken by Shahzaib Khan who bowled out Chad. Khan then took out Mohyuddin, leaving Botswana hopeless. Experienced all-rounder, James Moses gave the spectators hope with his boundaries.

He fought a lone battle, registering 22 runs from 10 deliveries, leaving Botswana with 126 in 20 overs. Because of the tie on 126 runs, a super over was played with Botswana selecting Modise and Moses to bat. Moses hit two sixes in the first two deliveries to help Botswana finish the super over with 16. Pakistan through Shahzaib Khan and Ali Mizra also got 16 runs, creating another stalemate.  After a closed-door discussion by the umpires, Pakistan emerged as the winners due to the last ball high score decision. Botswana had scored one run while Pakistan had scored six in the last high ball. Pakistan will face India in the final on Friday at the BCA Oval.