Pakistan beat S Africa by 2 wickets
Pakistan restricted the Proteas to 133-6 and then surpassed the target with two balls to spare to make a winning start in the second round. Umar Gull and Umar Akmal made the victory possible for Pakistan after the top order 6 batsman got out cheaply. Tail ender Umar Gul became Pakistan s unlikely batting star as he helped Pakistan pull off a thrilling two-wicket win over South Africa in their World Twenty20 Super Eights match on Friday. Batting first upon winning the toss, South Africa made a modest 133-6 in 20 overs then looked like it might be able to defend it. Pakistan s chase was precariously placed at 76-7 when Gul (32) and Umar Akmal (43 not out) combined for a 49-run stand in 28 balls for the eighth wicket to snatch a stunning victory. Captain Muhammad Hafeez thanked the crowd for support and appreciated the performance by the South Africans. India and Australia, the other two teams in the group, play in the second match of the double-header at the Premadasa stadium later on Friday night. Pakistan will now play its next match against the arch rivals India on Sunday.
Australia beat India by 9 wickets
The Australians restricted India to 140-7 and then raced past the modest total in the 15th over at the Premadasa stadium. Australia join Pakistan, who beat South Africa by two wickets earlier on Friday, at the top of group two with one win each.
Brief scores:
India 140-7 in 20 overs; Australia 141-1 in 14.5 overs
