Pakistan vs South Africa: Cricket World Cup live scores, blog

Pakistan and South Africa will face off today at Lord’s, with both sides desperately looking to salvage something from this World Cup. Join The Roar for live scores and a blog of the match, starting from 7:30pm (AEST).

The World Cup has not quite gone the way Pakistan would have envisioned. After five games, they have only been able to secure the one victory.

There have been times when they have shown glimpses of brilliance, but that is the major problem when it comes to this Pakistan side.

They struggle to put together a consistent level of performance, and it ultimately shows in their results majority of the time.

You only have to look at the game that they did win. It was against one of the tournament favourites in England, which does show Pakistan are a capable team. They just need to find a way to become more consistent.

In Pakistan’s previous clash, they were beaten by 89 runs (DLS) against India at Old Trafford. India batted first and put 336 runs on the board.

Mohammad Amir was the pick of the Pakistani bowlers, as he finished with figures of 3-47 off his 10 overs.

Pakistan ultimately got nowhere near India when it came to the chase, but Fakhar Zaman did compile 62 runs from 75 deliveries, which was a positive.

As for South Africa, their World Cup campaign has been similar to Pakistan’s. Everyone expected more from them, but after six games, they have only notched up the one victory.

Faf du Plessis’ side is coming off a heartbreaking four-wicket loss to New Zealand at Edgbaston, which was decided in the final over of the reduced game.

South Africa posted 241 runs on the board to begin the game, which many did not believe was enough, but the pitch was difficult to score on.

Rassie van der Dussen was superb for South Africa with the bat, as he compiled an unbeaten 67 from 64 deliveries. Hashim Amla was also solid, as he struck 55 runs from 83 balls.

Chris Morris did his best with the ball to try and win the game for his country, as he finished with figures of 3-49 off his 10 overs, but the brilliance of Kane Williamson proved to be the difference between the two sides.

Williamson struck a maximum in the final over, which allowed New Zealand to cruise to victory.

Prediction
Despite losing the previous game they featured in, South Africa appear to have built up some momentum in terms of performance. The reality is, no one knows what Pakistan side will show up, which makes South Africa a safer tip.

South Africa to prevail.

Join The Roar for live scores and a blog of the match, starting from 7:30pm (AEST).

When: 7:30pm (AEST)
Where: Lord’s, London
TV: Fox Cricket
Betting: Pakistan $2.40, South Africa $1.56

Pakistan (squad)
Sarfaraz Ahmed (capt, wk), Asif Ali, Babar Azam, Fakhar Zaman, Haris Sohail, Hasan Ali, Imad Wasim, Imam-ul-Haq, Mohammad Amir, Mohammad Hafeez, Mohammad Hasnain, Shadab Khan, Shaheen Afridi, Shoaib Malik, Wahab Riaz.

South Africa (squad)
Faf du Plessis (capt), Hashim Amla, Quinton de Kock (wk), JP Duminy, Beuran Hendricks*, Aiden Markram, David Miller, Chris Morris, Lungi Ngidi, Andile Phehlukwayo, Dwaine Pretorius, Kagiso Rabada, Tabraiz Shamsi, Imran Tahir, Rassie van der Dussen.