Umar Gul turned an unlikely hero with the bat as Pakistan survived a middle-order collapse to beat South Africa by two wickets in the Super Eights of the World Twenty20 on Friday.
Pakistan, chasing South Africa's modest 133-6, crashed to 76-7 in the 15th over before Gul and Umar Akmal combined to share a match-winning partnership of 49 in 27 balls.
Gul smashed two fours and three sixes in his 32 off 17 balls before he was dismissed off the last ball of the 19th over by fast bowler Dale Steyn with nine more needed. But Akmal, who remained unbeaten on 43, and Saeed Ajmal steered Pakistan home with two balls to spare.
Brief scores:
SA 133-6 (JP Duminy 48; M Hafeez 2-23) Pakistan 136-8 in 19.4 ovrs (U Akmal 43*, U. Gul 32; D. Steyn 3-22)
Brief scores:
SA 133-6 (JP Duminy 48; M Hafeez 2-23) Pakistan 136-8 in 19.4 ovrs (U Akmal 43*, U. Gul 32; D. Steyn 3-22)