The National's Sport cover for the Thursday, March 19 issue, featuring Imran Tahir and South Africa after their first knockout win at the Cricket World Cup.
Osman Samiuddin writes the oft-snakebitten side finally showed their mettle at a World Cup.
“For many years, South Africa tried walking the walk but failed. Big, aggressive, bullying players most days, they were regularly devoured by stage fright on the big occasion.”
But on Wednesday, in the quarter-final, South Africa’s attack decimated Sri Lanka, and they cruised to their target total without so much as a hiccup.
“Could it be? Could it finally be? Could this be the year for South Africa?”
It will become clearer in the semi-finals, where they play the red-hot hosts New Zealand or West Indies.
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The specs
Engine: 3.0-litre six-cylinder turbo
Power: 398hp from 5,250rpm
Torque: 580Nm at 1,900-4,800rpm
Transmission: Eight-speed auto
Fuel economy, combined: 6.5L/100km
On sale: December
Price: From Dh330,000 (estimate)
RESULT
Aston Villa 1
Samatta (41')
Manchester City 2
Aguero (20')
Rodri (30')
Bundesliga fixtures
Saturday, May 16 (kick-offs UAE time)
Borussia Dortmund v Schalke (4.30pm)
RB Leipzig v Freiburg (4.30pm)
Hoffenheim v Hertha Berlin (4.30pm)
Fortuna Dusseldorf v Paderborn (4.30pm)
Augsburg v Wolfsburg (4.30pm)
Eintracht Frankfurt v Borussia Monchengladbach (7.30pm)
Sunday, May 17
Cologne v Mainz (4.30pm),
Union Berlin v Bayern Munich (7pm)
Monday, May 18
Werder Bremen v Bayer Leverkusen (9.30pm)
The specs
Engine: Dual 180kW and 300kW front and rear motors
Power: 480kW
Torque: 850Nm
Transmission: Single-speed automatic
Price: From Dh359,900 ($98,000)
On sale: Now
