Playing in his first match of the tournament since the outing against West Indies in their opener, Sohail smashed nine fours and three sixes to help the cause of Pakistan, who are struggling to stay alive in the semifinal race.
Haris Sohail
Pakistan batsman Haris Sohail made a memorable return to the team by scoring a 59-ball 89 and taking Pakistan to a much-needed win vs South Africa. Haris Sohail replaced an out-of-form Shoaib Malik in the side.
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Playing in his first match of the tournament since the outing against West Indies in their opener, Sohail smashed nine fours and three sixes to help the cause of Pakistan, who are struggling to stay alive in the semifinal race.
Haris Sohail later took to Twitter to thanks his fans for the support:
Thanks everyone for your love, prayers, support and kind messages. This #MoM is for Pakistan. On to the next game. #PakistanZindabad #PAKvSA #CWC19 #WeHaveWeWill pic.twitter.com/JcAeNWm3R3
— Haris Sohail (@iHarisSohail) June 23, 2019
The 30-year-old Sohail added 81 runs for the fourth wicket with Babar Azam (69 off 80 balls), but it was his brisk 71-run partnership with Imad Wasim (23 off 15 balls) that gave Pakistan innings the impetus it needed in this must-win game.
The last 10 overs yielded 91 runs, with Sohail doing most of the damage.
Batting first, Pakistan were off to their most convincing start in the tournament, with the opening duo of Fakhar Zaman and Imam-ul-Haq adding 81 runs in just under 15 overs.
Both the openers struck half-a-dozen boundaries each during their stay in the middle but fell for an identical 44.
Fakhar and Imam drove and pulled pacers Kagiso Rabada and Lungi Ngidi (3/64)with authority.
Having seen off the South African pace duo without much difficulty, Imam welcomed first-change bowler Chris Morris with a drive through mid-off for a four. Before that, Fakhar slogged-swept Ngidi for a six over deep midwicket.
South Africa had their first breakthrough when Imran Tahir (2/41) had Fakhar scooping one to the safe hands of Hashim Amla at first slip.
Tahir went past Allan Donald as the highest wicket-taker for the Proteas at World Cups with 38 wickets when he produced an excellent one-handed catch to dismiss Imam.
Mohammad Hafeez hit a six during his 20 but could not translate his start into a substantial knock thanks to Aiden Marakram, who had the batsman trapped in front of the wicket.
Babar Azam oozed class as he worked the ball around for singles and twos in between seven boundaries, but the innings that propped up Pakistan was the one played by Sohail.
Haris Sohail's fans were very pleased by the batsman's innings and took to Twitter to express their appreciation:
Congratulations team Pakistan. Great team effort today and a strong comeback. Well batted Haris Sohail. Well bowled everyone. Inshallah more winning matches to come. #PakistanZindabad #PakistanPaindabad @TheRealPCB
— Junaid khan 83 (@JunaidkhanREAL) June 23, 2019
Winning is 1 of the delightful moments for Pakistan.The timely & great comeback has brought the energy in us.Haris Sohail's performance was remarkable to lift the team.He incredibly played for his team.Overall,Pakistan showed hunger to win this match.#PAKvSA #wehavewewill #CWC19 pic.twitter.com/CFKy4w3wht
— VEENA MALIK (@iVeenaKhan) June 23, 2019
Star of the day u00f0u009fu0098u008d #HarisSohail pic.twitter.com/ZxvLrSEkGD
— Khudadad Arif (@khudadad_10) June 23, 2019
“It’s very difficult to sit out and wait for your turn but I know that I would get the chance, and when the chance was given to me I would perform.”
— Cricket World Cup (@cricketworldcup) June 23, 2019
Player of the Match Haris Sohail was making just his second #CWC19 appearance today, and boy did he make his opportunity count u00f0u009fu0092u00aa pic.twitter.com/Qz9cBGTWzU
Shoaib Malik after watching haris Sohail performance u00f0u009fu0091u0087u00f0u009fu0091u0087u00f0u009fu0098u0082 pic.twitter.com/x3w994cc5D
— Khurram Mustaqeem (@BaoramiRajaji) June 24, 2019
"That is brilliant. That is so classy from the left-hander!"
— ICC (@ICC) June 24, 2019
Haris Sohail's 59-ball 89 in yesterday's #CWC19 clash against South Africa was studded with u00f0u009fu0091u008c strokes. Here's a u00f0u009fu0093u00bdu00efu00b8u008f of some of his best shots.@oppo | #BeAShotMaker pic.twitter.com/LlPCdiwzg6
#HarisSohail right now to his fans pic.twitter.com/2d3xNa0Ml7
— Abbas Jehan (@AbbasJehan75) June 23, 2019
Great Haris sohail next time write 150 on your T shirt u00f0u009fu0098u0082u00f0u009fu0098u0082u00f0u009fu0098u0082u00f0u009fu0098u0082u00f0u009fu0098u0082 pic.twitter.com/w9i7K11ROX
— Dr Irum u00f0u009fu0092u008e (@Dr_IrumOfficial) June 24, 2019
Beauty of the matchu00e2u009du00a4#HarisSohail u00f0u009fu0094u00a5u00f0u009fu0094u00a5
— Mai btata Honu00f0u009fu008cu009a (@AhmedGoraya14) June 23, 2019
89 Shirt No.
89 Runs scored pic.twitter.com/LR1bNtBOwQ
Good #HarisSohail , Next time write 200 on T-Shirt u00f0u009fu0098u00b1 pic.twitter.com/YRq6MXKitl
— Team Pakistan u00f0u009fu0087u00b5u00f0u009fu0087u00b0 (@iampak11) June 24, 2019
Haris Sohail to mailk:
— HANDSOME PM (@HandsomePM) June 23, 2019
#PAKvSA pic.twitter.com/PI7GyscmjV
Shoaib malik on Haris sohail's performance: #PAKvSA pic.twitter.com/OQiryuGJzN
— u00f0u009fu008fu00b5u00efu00b8u008f (@baqwasNakaro) June 23, 2019
With inputs from PTI
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