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By Ranga Sirilal
COLOMBO, Sept 28 (Reuters) – Umar Gul emerged as Pakistan’s unlikely batting hero, blasting a 17-ball 32 to give the 2009 champions’ a narrow two-wicket victory over South Africa in a nail-biting World Twenty20 Super Eight match on Friday.
Chasing a 134-run victory target, Pakistan were reeling at 76 for seven in the 15th over when Gul joined Umar Akmal (43 not out) and they added 49 runs off 4.3 overs to turn the group two match on its head.
Number nine batsman Gul blasted three sixes and two boundaries in his entertaining cameo before being dismissed in the 19th over. Akmal batted till the end as Pakistan scampered home with two balls to spare.
“I knew he can hit the ball hard. He showed character today,” Pakistan captain Mohammad Hafeez said of man-of-the-match Gul in the post-match presentation ceremony.
“Even if it’s not with his bowling, he can still contribute for the team. It’s a very good sign for us.”
Pakistan needed nine runs off the last over sent down by Morne Morkel and Akmal hit a six off the second delivery, a full toss, before taking a single.
Saeed Ajmal edged the fourth delivery to third man boundary to score the winning run.
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