Pakistan withstood a gallant South African chase to win the Sharjah Cup with a dramatic 16-run victory in the final of the Sharjah Cup. Facing Pakistan's formidable 263 for six, the South Africans were comfortably placed at 198 for four in the 40th over, needing another 66 runs off the final 60 deliveries with six wickets in hand. Fast bowler Waqar Younis, however, engineered a great Pakistani fight-back as three wickets tumbled in the space of one run to restrict South Africa to 247. Waqar finished with four for 62 while off-spinner Arshad Khan chipped in with three wickets. It was Pakistan's second win over South Africa in their last 16 encounters gave them their 12th title at this popular desert venue.
Earlier, Pakistan's total revolved around a sparkling century stand between openers Imran Nazir and Shahid Afridi, who both hit half-centuries. The pair rattled up 123 by the 22nd over after captain Moin Khan won his fifth successive toss in the tournament and elected to take first strike. The middle-order lost its way before Inzamam-ul-Haq smashed 53 to leave the South Africans chasing a victory target of more than five runs an over.
