Pakistan in upset win over South Africa

ICC Champions Trophy, 7th Match, Group B: Pakistan v South Africa at Edgbaston,  Birmingham, Jun 7, 2017.

South Africa V Pakistan

South Africa 219/8 50 ov  Q de Kock 33 off 49, 2 fours, F du Plessis 26 off 44, 1four,DA Miller 75 not out off 104, 1 four, 3 sixes, CH Morris 28 off 45, 1 four, Imad Wasim 20-2, Mohammad Hafeez 51-1, Hasan Ali 24-3, Junaid Khan 53-2

Pakistan 119/3 (27/27 ov, Target 101) Fakhar Zaman 31 off 23, 6 fours, Babar Azam 31 not our off 51, 4 fours, Mohammad Hafeez 26 off 53, 1 four, 1six, Shoaib Malik 16 off 14, 3 fours, M Morkel 18-3.

Pakistan won by 19 runs (D/L method)

South Africa won the toss and elected to bat. Pakistan   ensured they remained alive and pulled off an upset in the game of the ICC Champions Trophy in the midst of rain, by beating South Africa by 19 runs via the DLS method.

Pakistan’s two quality fast bowlers Mohammad Amir and Junaid Khan were disciplined and tight, bowling to a plan, ensuring South Africa’s openers were not allowed width.

Pakistan’s spinners then restricted South Africa’s batsmen to 219. At one point inside the first 30 overs South Africa was reeling at 118-6, but David Miller, provided late firepower with an unbeaten 75 off 104 balls. Hasan finished with 3 for 24. Chris Morris gave Miller able support to get as close to 200 as possible. Both Mohammad Amir and Junaid Khan were unplayable at times, bowling their reverse Swinging Yorkers.

Morkel dismissed both openers in one over as the bowler exploited both his variation and the bounce that over was followed by 20 straight dot deliveries as South Africa neutralised Pakistan’s flying start as his opening spell reading 5-1-7-2.

But when rain intervened, Pakistan were 19 runs ahead on the DLS equation, which enough to win.