Fact And Fantasy

After India lost the 3 super eight matches in sequence, I almost lost track of the series, when by chance I happened to watch the SA Vs Pak semi-final match. For obvious reasons, I wanted SA to win. Moreover the fact that, there have been several occasions when SA stays unbeaten throughout the league matches and loses a knock out game sympathetically to exit the tournament, made the game a little more interesting.

When I started watching the match, it was the end of the Pakistan innings and we were 5 supporters of SA watching the chase. All of us agreed that the target presented was not really tough to get at, not easy though.

When the South Africans came in to bat, the following is the train of facts and fantasy that came in.
Facts:
Kallis and Smith came in to open the batting.
Fantasy:
With Kallis opening the batting, it’s going to be tough for the Pakistanis.
Facts:
Score: 1/40 (5.5 Overs) Smith gone and Gibbs coming in. Not a great start. Kallis didn’t really click and he slowed down his rate of scoring.
Fantasy:
Smith is not in form. But If Gibbs strikes, the opposition is finished.
Facts:
Score: 2/46 (6.6 Overs) Gibbs gone and AB de Villiers is walking in. Run rate is not in any case sufficient.
Fantasy:
Hmmm....Anyway the South African batting line up is very strong and long. Its AB D now....he’s going to smash the ball around, with Kallis hanging there.
Facts:
Score: 3/50(8.3 overs). AB D is walking out and Duminy coming in with the run rate still deteriorating
Fantasy:
Duminy is the guy who struck for the Mumbai Indians. He is the guy for the day.
Facts:
Score: 3/69(12 overs). Duminy couldn’t do much and the required run rate climbing drastically. SA is tending to lose the game.
Fantasy:
South Africa still has got chances with Kallis still around. (Back to square one)
Facts:
Score: 3/83(14 overs) Kallis and Duminy just hanging around and Fawad Alam to bowl
Fantasy:
This is the over. If SA strives to get 3 sixes, they will be through.
Facts:
Score: 4/111 (17.1 overs, 39 required of 17 balls) Kallis walking to the pavilion and Morkel gearing himself.
Fantasy:
Morkel is a dangerous man. He is capable of scoring huge boundaries which in turn will change the stature of the game.
Facts:
Score: 4/121 (18 overs, 29 required of 12 balls)
Fantasy:
2 sixes in this over and the SA will be back. (The batsman at the crease is no longer significant)
Facts:
Score: 4/127 (19 overs, 23 required from 6 balls)
Fantasy:
4 sixes and SA will win with 2 balls to spare.
Facts:
Score: 5/133 (19.3 overs, 17 required from 3 balls) Morkel is walking out, doesn’t matter who’s next, Duminy is on strike
Fantasy:
3 consecutive sixes and SA will play the final.
Facts
Score: 5/136 (19.4 overs, 15 requred from 2 balls)
Fantasy:
Pakistan will bowl a no ball and SA will be awarded with a free hit and the 3 consecutive sixes will still work.
Facts:
Score: 5/140 (19.5 overs, 11 to win from 1 ball)
Fantasy:
Is there a possibility of 2 consecutive no balls?
Facts:
Score: 5/142 End of Game
Consolation:
SA lost by 7 runs. India lost only by 3 runs in the last super eight match.