ICCWT20: Umar, Gul help Pakistan stun South Africa in a low-scoring thriller

By Jawad Hussain

KARACHI, Pakistan (TheSportsNEXT) September 28, 2012: Amid sheer criticism, Umar Akmal and Umar Gul exhibited their class and strong nerves on Friday to help Pakistan stun high-flying South Africa by two wickets in their first Group 2 match of the ICC World Twenty20 2012 at R Premadasa Stadium in Colombo.

ICCWT20: Explosive Dale Steyn saves the day for Proteas in warm-up

By Fathima Zanaida

COLOMBO, Sri Lanka (TheSportsNext) September 17, 2012: An impressive spell of fast bowling by Dale Steyn and a captain’s knock by AB de Villiers helped South Africa defeat a high-flying New Zealand side by only nine runs in their ICC World Twenty20 Warm-Up match played at Colts Cricket Club Ground in Colombo on Monday.

Why did South Africa defeat England?

By Adrian Meredith

VICTORIA, Australia (TheSportsNext) July, 24, 2012: South Africa shocked England, who are ranked 1 versus South Africa, who were just downgraded to 3, at home in England! They didn't just lose, but they were beaten by an innings! So how did this happen?

Mark Boucher's absence inspires South Africa

AB de Villiers is actually a specialist wicket keeper who, early in his career, dreamed of taking over from Mark Boucher in the team. He is nowhere as good as Boucher as a keeper but he is nonetheless a specialist keeper so him playing didn't hurt too much. It also meant extra batsmen (not that they needed it) so the team overall wasn't missing too much. Boucher missing, though, certainly inspired Jacques Kallis, probably also A B de Villiers but it may have inspired the whole team.