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Preview: Just how good is A.B. de Villiers? Pakistan captain Misbah ul-Haq rates the South Africa captain as the best one-day batsman in the world, which certainly confirms the International Cricket Council rankings. South Africa pace bowler Dale Steyn says watching de Villiers develop over the years has been like watching the character Neo in the movie “The Matrix.” De Villiers’ performance could be pivotal when South Africa plays Pakistan in a Cricket World Cup Pool B match on Saturday at Auckland’s Eden Park. Pakistan is desperate to win and secure a spot in the quarterfinals, while South Africa wants to continue its run of good form. [caption id=“attachment_2114793” align=“alignleft” width=“380”]  AB de Villiers in action for South Africa. AFP[/caption] Rain is threatening to interrupt the match, a factor which could push both teams into batting more aggressively to ensure they maintain high run rates. New Zealand’s MetService is predicting moderate rain showers to hit at about 6 p.m. during the day-night match, a slight improvement from previous forecasts predicting heavy showers. The covers remained on the pitch much of Friday as showers came and went. South Africa has three wins and one loss from its four matches. It scored more than 400 runs in each of its last two games, against the West Indies and Ireland, winning each game by more than 200 runs. Against the West Indies, de Villiers was sublime, stroking an unbeaten 162 off 66 balls. He reached his century off 52 balls, the second-fastest in any World Cup game. Misbah said Pakistan had some good bowlers who had a plan against de Villiers and who could put pressure on him. “But the only way of stopping A.B. is just try to get him out,” he added. “That’s the only way I think. Otherwise, if he’s there, it’s not easy to stop him.” Steyn joked that the way to stop de Villiers might be to try to trip him on the way out of his hotel. “He’s just playing shots that I don’t think most people have ever seen before,” he said. Steyn, who began his first-class career with de Villiers, said he remembers a talented young batsman scoring a 50 in each of his first two innings and then just continuing to get better. “It’s like watching ‘The Matrix’ movie really,” he said. “There’s Neo for you right there. Like he just doesn’t understand how good he is … I think he’s actually figured out now there is no roof or cap on how good he can possible be. It’s limitless what he can do.” Pakistan has had a shaky start in the World Cup. After losing its first two games against India and the West Indies, the 1992 champions picked up four points with wins over Zimbabwe and the United Arab Emirates. Misbah rejected the idea that Pakistan’s top-order batsmen, none of whom have career strike rates above 80, need to be more aggressive. He said the team has often lost early wickets and those batsmen have been required to rebuild the innings. A strong bowling attack, he said, ensured that if Pakistan scored more than 250 runs it could put pressure on any opponent. “We have our targets and we play according to our strengths,” he said. “The kind of start we had in the last game, if we can really repeat it against the top sides, we could really manage to score 300.” Meanwhile, Steyn said it had been hard to concentrate on cricket over the last couple of days with his mind on the wildfires in his home of Cape Town. The fires have destroyed homes and caused hundreds of people to evacuate. Steyn said he was in Canberra, the Australian capital, when he took a frightening call. “The people who were looking after my house called me and said ‘Listen, you’ve got five minutes, we’re evacuating this place, what do you want us to take out of your house?’” Steyn said. “I’ve never been more scared in my life. I’m sitting halfway across the world, and everything that I’ve ever earned, or got in my life — every wicket, every ball, every bit of clothing in my 31 years — is in that house.” He said other players on the team were also affected, and the lawn of retired allrounder Jacques Kallis was in flames. But he said firefighters and volunteers had done a tremendous job beating back the fires. AP
World Cup, Pakistan vs South Africa as it happened: De Villiers' heroics in vain as Pak clinch thriller
Misbah said Pakistan had some good bowlers who had a plan against de Villiers and who could put pressure on him.
 "World Cup, Pakistan vs South Africa as it happened: De Villiers' heroics in vain as Pak clinch thriller")
Misbah Ul Haq becomes the first Pakistani captain to beat South Africa in a worldcup game. What Imran and Wasim couldn't do
— Farooq (@frooq) March 7, 2015
Misbah Ul Haq becomes the first Pakistani captain to beat South Africa in a worldcup game. What Imran and Wasim couldn't do
— Farooq (@frooq) March 7, 2015
Most dismissals on World Cup debut:
— Rajneesh Gupta (@rgcricket) March 7, 2015
6-Sarfraz Ahmed (Today)
5-Jimmy Adams (WI v Ken, Pune, 1996)#CWC15 #PakvsSA
That’s it! Pakistan win by 29 runs (DL) method. What a win!
It’s a length delivery outside off, a touch wide, Tahir chases and gets an outside edge to the keeper. The Pakistan players go wild in celebration. What a win. They didn’t have the best of totals to defend but their pacers Mohammad Irfan, Shoail Khan, Rahat Ali and Wahab Riaz just ripped through the South Africa batting line-up. Apart from Sohail, the other three took three wickets each. Sohail took the one wicket and it was the big one – that of AB de Villiers whose knock went in vain.
After 33 overs, South Africa 201/9 (Morkel 5, Tahir 0)
De Villiers was playing good calculated cricket. Hee is farming the strikes pretty well and giving Morkel just one or two balls to play. He smacked Sohail for a four wide of mid on and then hammered Wahab for a six and a four but Sohail got the big wicket. 24 runs and a wicket off the last three overs. 31 needed from 14 overs with jsut one wicket in hand.
OUT! BIG, BIG Wicket. Sohail Khan has de Villiers caught behind. South Africa 200/9 (32.2). (Morkel 5)
What a time to take a wicket. Sohail has had an average day so far but he takes the biggest wicket of the night. De Villiers dances down the track, Sohail shortens his length and delivers a back of a length delivery. De Villiers goes for a pull but gets a faint nick behind. They all go up in a huge appeal and the umpire raises his finger. De Villiers doesn’t wait. What a game this is turning out to be. 31 more needed with just one wicket in hand.
Imran Tahir is the last man in.
AB de Villiers's tactics > LVG's tactics.
— Amreen (@goonergurl20) March 7, 2015
Great match between Chokers & Jokers.
— Trendulkar (@Trendulkar) March 7, 2015
After 30 overs, South Africa 177/8 ( De Villiers 56, Morkel 4)
It’s de Villiers vs Pakistan now. The former hit consecutive sixes off Afridi but then lost Abbott. Morne Morkel started off well with a four throuhg point. South Africa have taken the Batting Powerplay. 55 needed off 17 overs with 2 wickets in hand. it’s going down the wire……
OUT! Rahat strikes, Younis takes a very good catch in slips. KJ Abbott c Younis Khan b Rahat Ali 12 (19b 2×4 0x6) South Africa 172/8 (29.2). (de Villiers 56)
Rahat is still getting some movement and he is making the most of it. It’s full outside off, Abbott looks to drive but gets an outside edge to second slip where Younis takes a very good low catch.
Morne Morkel is the new batsman.
FIFTY for De Villiers!
De Villiers brings up his 50 off 45 deliveries with a six. He follows up with another 6 off Afridi. Four four and four sixes in his innings so far. What a player!
Pakistan would probably like to have this one back...
— cricket.com.au (@cricketcomau) March 7, 2015
LIVE: http://t.co/uNSjCV5Hy2 #SAvPAK #cwc15 pic.twitter.com/eLMR9hyxbL
After 27 overs, South Africa 148/7 (De Villiers 38, Abbott 6)
South Africa still in with a chance with de Villiers at the crease. Abbott is playing sensibly unlike Steyn whose rush of blood cost him. Steyn bludgeoned a couple of arrogant fours off Irfan before perishing in the same over. Pakistan then wasted a review as an LBW appeal was turned down against De Villiers off Afridi. Impact was way outside off and hitting the 5th stump. 20/1 in the last five overs. South Africa need 84 from 20 overs.
OUT! Irfan gets his man! Steyn departs! DW Steyn c Sarfraz Ahmed b Mohammad Irfan 16 (17b 3×4 0x6). After 24 overs, South Africa 138/7 (De Villiers 35)
This is brainless cricket from Steyn, he hit a couple of fours off Irfan, with disdain but then went for one shot too many, he goes for a widld swing but gets an outside edge to the keeper. Why do such stuff when AB is going great guns at the other end?
Kyle Abbott is the new batsman.
After 22 overs, South Africa 128/6 ( De Villiers 35, Steyn 8)
De Villiers, slowly but surely getting into the groove. The wicket of Duminy hasn’t dented him. He flicks Wahab through mid-wicket for a lovely four and then shuffles across and flicks it over long leg for a six and then again shuffles way across and whips it over deep square leg. 34 runs off the last four overs includng the wicket of Duminy. 17 of them came off that Wahab over. Pakistan need to bring Afridi back now, he has dismissed De Villiers second- most number of times in ODIs – 5. Ajmal has the most – 6.
OUT! Brilliant captaincy from Misbah! JP Duminy c Wahab Riaz b Mohammad Irfan 12 (13b 2×4 0x6) . After 19.4 overs, South Africa 102/6 (De Villiers 16)
Misbah brings back Irfan and he strikes straightaway. Short oon off from Irfan, Duminy stays in his crease and looks to pull but gets a top edge to fine leg. Wahab settles under it and takes a very good catch.
Dale Steyn is the new batsman.
After 18 overs, South Africa 94/5 ( De Villiers 15, Duminy 6)
De Villiers has tried to get a move on with a couple of lovely punches through covers for consecutive fours off Wahab. Duminy got off the mark with a crackign straight drive to get off the mark. De Villiers, however, survived a run out as they set off for a quick singles and the bowler Rahat missed his direct hit at the non-striker’s end. Rahat is bowling at a very good pace and darting in sharp bouncers. Wahab too is bowling good lines. 23/1 in the last five overs. South Africa need a big partnership here.
OUT! Rahat Ali removes Miller! DA Miller lbw b Rahat Ali 0 (13b 0x4 0x6). After 15.5 overs, South Africa 77/5 (De Villiers 4)
A yorker length delivery on middle and leg, nips away a tad. Miller is done in by the late movement as he looks to flick but misses. They all go up in a big appeal and the umpire raises hsi finger. Miller has a chat with de Villiers and then opts for a review. Replays show that it was crashing onto the stumps. It looked plumb to the naked eye. This is terrific bowling from Pakistan.
JP Duminy is the new batsman.
After 13 overs, South Africa 74/4 (De Villiers 1, Miller 0)
Brilliant fightback from Pakistan, they have scalped the big three wickets within the space of five overs. Wahab is ramping up good pace and bowling good lines. Rahat has been impressive too. South Africa have been bogged down as they scored just 13 runs for 3 wickets. However, the have their NEO – De Villiers still at the crease and he aong with Miller need to build a big partnership here. Miller has been in decent tough in this tournament.
OUT! Wahab gets another one! South Africa in trouble. RR Rossouw c Sohail Khan b Wahab Riaz 6 (9b 1×4 0x6). After 12.2 overs, South Africa 74/4 (de Villiers 1)
Short on off from Wahab, Rossouw stays in his crease and looks to hook but it gets big on him. He gets a top edge to fine leg where Sohail Khan grabs a good catch. This is a terrific fightback from Pakistan. From 67/1, they are 74/4.
Dvid Miller is the new batsman.
OUT! Wahab strikes with his first ball. He removes the dangerman Amla! HM Amla c Sarfraz Ahmed b Wahab Riaz 38 (27b 9×4 0x6) . After 10.1 overs, South Africa 67/3 (Rossouw 0)
Length delivery outside off from Wahab, nips away. Amla pokes at it and gets an outside edge, Sarfraz dives full length to his right and pouches a FANTASTIC catch. THe umpire checks whether the catch was clean and replays show that indeed it was clean. No way Umar Akmal would have caught that as a keeper!
AB de Villiers is the new batsman.
OUT! Against the run of play, Du Plessis departs! F du Plessis c Sarfraz Ahmed b Rahat Ali 27 (29b 3×4 1×6) . After 9.3 overs, South Africa 67/2 (Amla 38)
Good length delivery on off, it nips away sharply. Du Plessis is a tad squared up and gets an outside edge to the keeper who makes no mistake. Against the run of play, Du Plessis departs. A much-needed breakthrough for Paksitan.
Rilee Rossouw is the new batsman.
After 8 overs, South Africa 61/1 (Amla 32, du Plessis 27)
Terrific counterattack from South Africa, Amla is dealing jus tin boundaries. He cracks three fours off Sohail Khan in the 6th over. An then a couple off Irfan in the next over. He’s playing the punches, silken drives, classy flicks and the odd pull shot really well. Du Plessus the gets into the act as he gets a six off a top edge off Rahat and then flicks one behind square leg for a four. 38 runs scored in the last three overs! Amla has 32 runs and all in boundaries – 8 fours so far!
Amla isn't driving 4X4....it's 8x4 for him. All fours in 32 against a decent new ball attack in New Zealand
— Aakash Chopra (@cricketaakash) March 7, 2015
After 5 overs, South Africa 23/1 (Amla 12, Du Plessis 9)
Pakistan have started extremely well here! Irfan is bowling beautifully. Even Sohail Khan has got off to a good start. He beat Du Plessis’ outside edge edge and then cut Amla into half. But the proteas have hit four fours in first five overs. Amla with a trickle to fine leg, a square drive and a punch through covers and Du Plessis with a straight drive. Irfan getting good swing and carry. A huge LBW shout is turned down agains Du Plessis as he shuffles way across and misses his flick. But it seemed a tad high.
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