Razzaq stuns SA with a 72-ball 109

Abdul Razzaq’s dazzling 109 in just 72 balls helped Pakistan edge to a morale-boosting one-wicket win over South Africa in the second one-day international at the Zayed Cricket Stadium late on Sunday night,then urged the administration to work towards removing the uncertainty players feel over their place in the team

Pakistan,which lost the opening one-dayer and both Twenty20 matches against South Africa,were staring at another sure defeat before Razzaq belted 10 sixes and seven boundaries to help his team win with just one ball remaining. Razzaq scored 63 of the last 65 runs and hit the final boundary as Pakistan overhauled South Africa’s score of 286 with one ball and one wicket to spare.

“This is one of my best innings ever and I am so happy that it came at a time when Pakistan cricket is going through so much troubles,” said Razzaq,who was named Man of the Match. “I have been under tremendous pressure like many others in the team and I hope those criticising us will realise that we are all playing for the country.”

Brief scores: South Africa 286 for eight in 50 ovs (H Amla 65,C Ingram 100,JP Duminy 54; W Riaz 2/43,S Afridi 2/59) lost to Pakistan 289 for nine in 49.5 ovs (A Razzaq 109 n.o,S Afridi 49,F Alam 48; C Langeveldt 3/75)