<p>Pakistan paceman Sohail Khan said Monday that taking the wicket of South African master blaster AB de Villiers would inspire him to greater heights at the World Cup.<br /><br /></p>.<p>Sohail, who turned 31 on Friday, celebrated his birthday in style a day later when he dismissed the South Africa skipper who was threatening to take the Pool B match away from Pakistan in Auckland.<br /><br />Sohail produced a back of a length delivery which de Villiers edged to wicketkeeper Sarfraz Ahmed to end a blistering innings of 77.<br /><br />It was a dismissal that all but sealed Pakistan's third win in five pool matches, leaving South Africa nine wickets down, before Pakistan-born No 11 Imran Tahir was last man out as Misbah-ul-Haq's side won by 29 runs.<br /><br />"He (de Villiers) was taking the match away, so when I came to bowl with around 30-odd runs left to defend I bowled one full length delivery and then a back of a length and my word, I was thrilled to see he edged it to the keeper," Sohail told AFP.<br /><br />"It was a big wicket, the biggest of my career so far because his is a big name, the world's top batsman," the seamer added. "That helped us win the game and we were all delighted with that wicket."<br /><br />Sohail said he believed de Villiers' wicket would act as as a springboard for further success.<br /><br />"Now I have more confidence and I want a five-for in the next game," said Sohail of Pakistan's group-stage finale against Ireland in Adelaide on March 15.<br /><br />That game will decide Pakistan's fate in Pool B with Ireland, the West Indies and South Africa also in the hunt for a quarter-final spot behind already qualified defending champions India.<br /><br />Sohail, who took five for 55 in the team's tournament-opening loss to India, said Pakistan's bowlers had performed with plenty of passion against South Africa.<br /><br />"We bowled as per the plan given to us by the coach (Waqar Younis) and the skipper (Misbah) and bowled with a lot of heart and energy," said Sohail who finished with one for 36 in his five overs.<br /><br />He added that if the Pakistan attack maintained that form they would go far at this World Cup.<br /><br />"We have that will and the passion, so if we keep bowling like that, support each other, then we can go a long way in the tournament." <br /></p>
<p>Pakistan paceman Sohail Khan said Monday that taking the wicket of South African master blaster AB de Villiers would inspire him to greater heights at the World Cup.<br /><br /></p>.<p>Sohail, who turned 31 on Friday, celebrated his birthday in style a day later when he dismissed the South Africa skipper who was threatening to take the Pool B match away from Pakistan in Auckland.<br /><br />Sohail produced a back of a length delivery which de Villiers edged to wicketkeeper Sarfraz Ahmed to end a blistering innings of 77.<br /><br />It was a dismissal that all but sealed Pakistan's third win in five pool matches, leaving South Africa nine wickets down, before Pakistan-born No 11 Imran Tahir was last man out as Misbah-ul-Haq's side won by 29 runs.<br /><br />"He (de Villiers) was taking the match away, so when I came to bowl with around 30-odd runs left to defend I bowled one full length delivery and then a back of a length and my word, I was thrilled to see he edged it to the keeper," Sohail told AFP.<br /><br />"It was a big wicket, the biggest of my career so far because his is a big name, the world's top batsman," the seamer added. "That helped us win the game and we were all delighted with that wicket."<br /><br />Sohail said he believed de Villiers' wicket would act as as a springboard for further success.<br /><br />"Now I have more confidence and I want a five-for in the next game," said Sohail of Pakistan's group-stage finale against Ireland in Adelaide on March 15.<br /><br />That game will decide Pakistan's fate in Pool B with Ireland, the West Indies and South Africa also in the hunt for a quarter-final spot behind already qualified defending champions India.<br /><br />Sohail, who took five for 55 in the team's tournament-opening loss to India, said Pakistan's bowlers had performed with plenty of passion against South Africa.<br /><br />"We bowled as per the plan given to us by the coach (Waqar Younis) and the skipper (Misbah) and bowled with a lot of heart and energy," said Sohail who finished with one for 36 in his five overs.<br /><br />He added that if the Pakistan attack maintained that form they would go far at this World Cup.<br /><br />"We have that will and the passion, so if we keep bowling like that, support each other, then we can go a long way in the tournament." <br /></p>