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Pakistan have thrown Pool B wide open with a 29 run victory under the Duckworth-Lewis system over South Africa at Eden Park in Auckland.
After setting the Proteas 232 for victory, from their 47 overs, Pakistan bowled well to bowl out South Africa for 202.
In sunny conditions at the start of the match, South Africa won the toss and elected to bowl first.
With rain predicted to fall later in the day, South Africa wanted to bat second, in case the match fell to the Duckworth-Lewis system.
Pakistan started strongly, only losing Ahmed Shehzad, in the opening 15 overs.
Sarfraz Ahmed and Younis Khan would then put on a 62 run partnership for the second wicket, as both started to look comfortable out in the middle.
On his return to the team, Sarfraz raced to 48, in 48 deliveries.
On the next delivery, Sarfraz tried to bring up his 50, with a shot to fine leg for two runs.
As they ran for two, David Miller fielded the ball, and threw it to the wicket keeper.
The keeper would take the bails off and run out Sarfraz inches from making a deserved 50.
After the loss of Sarfraz, Pakistan would lose wickets consistently, over the next few overs.
Younis Khan would make 37 before giving away his wicket to AB de Villiers.
De Villiers, who was forced to bowl overs today, fooled Khan into hitting a shot to Rossouw who would take an easy catch.
It would be his 5th wicket in ODI’s.
Sohaib Maqsood would be next to go for 8, before Umar Akmal would throw his wicket away for 13, right before the first rain delay.
The first delay would come with 13 overs to go with Misbah-ul-Haq and Shahid Afridi at the crease.
As wickets fell for Pakistan, Misbah held up one end, as he moved to 40.
When play resumed, Pakistan would add 22 runs in just over 3 overs, before rain caused another delay.
This time it impacted on the overs with the match reduced to 47 for each team.
Pakistan would have just over six overs to set a target.
Unfortunately for them, they collapsed, losing 5/25 in the last few overs to make 222.
With the Duckworth-Lewis system, it got bumped up to 231 from 47 overs.
South Africa would be chasing what looked to be an easy target on a good pitch.
It looked even easier when they were 1/67 in reply.
After losing Quinton de Kock early, South Africa built nicely with Amla and du Plessis.
Amla in particular, who hit 9 boundaries, was firing and getting South Africa closer to the total.
In two overs though, the game changed, as both lost their wicket.
du Plessis would fall first to Rahat Ali before Amla would lose his wicket four balls later.
South Africa suddenly were 3/67 and would fall to 4/74 when Rossouw went for 6.
David Miller would then be trapped in front by Ali for a duck to make the Proteas 5/77.
When Duminy would be out for six, South Africa would be 6/102, and a long way from the target of 232.
Up stepped the only shining light for South Africa, AB de Villiers.
The captain would steer the ship once again and he kept South Africa in the clash as wickets fell around him.
Once Duminy went, the chase fell to de Villiers, and he took the challenge on.
He race to 50 as wickets continued to fall around him.
Steyn would fall for 16 with the score at 138, before Abbott would fall for 12 with the score at 172.
de Villiers though would continue to score freely and move to 77 as South Africa reached 200.
Just when de Villiers looked to have saved South Africa, he charged to a delivery from Sohail Khan which went straight to the keeper.
This ruined any chance of a comeback from South Africa and Pakistan would wrap up the game when Imran Tahir edged a delivery from Wahab Riaz to Sarfraz.
Sarfraz, who would take 6 catches, would be rewarded with the man of the match award.
Pakistan now move to 3rd on the table and move to six points with South Africa.
With the West Indies and Ireland also on six points, it sets up a thrilling finish to the Pool.
South Africa next play the UAE on Thursday and should seal their spot in the quarter finals.
Pakistan will now face a sudden death match against Ireland on Sunday March 15, with destiny in their hands, after a sterling win today.
South Africa will be looking to wrap up second spot in Pool B with a win over Pakistan in the second last pool game for both teams at Eden Park in Auckland. Join The Roar for live coverage of the match from 12:00 midday (AEDT).
With South Africa having a larger net run rate over the rest of their rivals in Pool B, a win today would seal second, even if they lost to the UAE in their final match.
If South Africa are beaten by Pakistan, and results don’t go their way, then they could fall to third and face either Australia or New Zealand in the quarter finals.
If Pakistan lose they need to keep it respectable. Their net run rate is higher than Ireland’s at the moment and they need to keep it that way in case both teams are level at the end of the pool stage. A big loss today, and a big Ireland win against Zimbabwe, could make the challenge tough for Pakistan.
After losing to India two Sundays ago, South Africa have been on a mission. They have made more than 400 runs in their last two matches, beating the West Indies and Ireland by more than 200 runs in each contest.
Against the other Test playing nations, excluding Zimbabwe, Pakistan have conceded over 300 runs. If they do the same against South Africa then they will struggle to chase it down, as batting has been a big problem for Pakistan in this tournament. At a minimum, if they bat first, they need more than 270 against the Proteas.
Pakistan has a good recent record against South Africa, winning two of the last three contests when they last toured South Africa in 2013. Overall though South Africa lead the head-to-head 47 wins to 23.
Despite their poor showing so far, Pakistan have won their last two matches, and can perform well when the team is prepared and ready to play. South Africa will have to be careful of that today.
Still, South Africa are littered with in-form talent – not least their captain AB de Villiers. He averages 61 against Pakistan in ODIs and looks to be ready for another big innings after his 162 against the West Indies.
If South Africa play like they have recently then they will be too strong for Pakistan.
Prediction: South Africa.
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