AUCKLAND: Pakistan beat South Africa by 29 runs in an all-important match of Pool B during the ICC Cricket World Cup 2015 at the Eden Park in Auckland on Saturday, and brightened their chances for a place in quarter-finals.
It was the first time that Pakistan defeated South Africa in a world cup match as earlier both the teams had played each other three times at a World Cup in 1992, 1996 and 1999. However, South Africa had never lost to Pakistan in those matches.
While batting first, Pakistan were bowled out for 222 in 46.4 overs. The captain Misbah-ul-haq remained top scorer with 56 runs.
From South Africa, DW Steyn picked up three wickets while KJ Abbott and M Morkel got two wickets each.
The South African side was to achieve a target of 232 to win under the Duckworth-Lewis method because the match at times had been interrupted due to rain.
However, South Africa were all out for 202 runs in 33.3 overs, falling short by 29 runs.
The South African captain AB de Villiers played a superb inning and scored 77 runs just off 58 balls.
For Pakistan, all three left-arm fast bowlers Wahab Raiz, Muhammad Irfan, Rahat Ali bagged three wickets each.
The Pakistani wicket-keeper batsman Sarfraz Ahmed was declared man of the match for making 49 runs and taking world record six catches.
Pool B Points Table after today’s encounter between Pakistan vs South Africa
