Pakistan managed a thumping win against South Africa to keep their semi finals chances alive. After suffering a huge loss to India, Pakistan cricketers were in tremendous pressure over the last one week.
However, they once again came back strongly and brushed aside South Africa. With this loss, South Africa are officially out of world cup. Having won the toss, Pakistan decided to bat first in a do or die clash.
Openers Imam and Fakhar Zaman provided the perfect platform with a solid 81 run stand. Both were dismissed in quick succession. Babar Azam stitched important partnerships with Mohammed Hafeez and Haris Sohail.
In the process, he scored yet another important fifty for the team. But the new comer Haris Sohail was the star with the bat. He ensured to stay at the crease till the end and made sure Pakistan crossed 300 mark. Sohail’s 89 helped Pakistan post 308/7.
Chasing 309, Hashim Amla was dismissed in the very first over by Mohammad Amir. But Quinton de Kock and Faf du Plessis were on a roll during the second wicket. Although, they did not score at rapid rate, both the players looked comfortable.
But South Africa kept losing wickets at regular intervals. Once again, their problem has been none of the players were able to play a long innings despite getting starts. Eventually, they could only manage 259 and lost by 49 runs.
The major disappointment for Pakistan will be their fielding standards. The team dropped many catches throughout the game yet they won it somehow. On the other hand, the win will be a morale booster for Pakistan moving ahead.
Excellent performance Pakistan! The bowlers backed up Haris Sohail's brilliant batting effort. Hope the momentum will be sustained in the games ahead. BUT the fielding must improve so many dropped catches, can't be excused at all! #WeHaveWeWill
— Shahid Afridi (@SAfridiOfficial) June 23, 2019
Babar Azam driving fours. Imran Tahir taking wickets. Pakistan flags in the crowd. The DJ playing Nach Punjaban. Lord’s has turned full Lahore today. #CWC19
— Mazher Arshad (@MazherArshad) June 23, 2019
Dil Dil Pakistan as loud as ever, coming from the hearts of the green and white at Lords today! ?? ????? PakvSA
— Shaniera Akram (@iamShaniera) June 23, 2019
13 – Pakistan have dropped 13 catches at #CWC19; the most of any side. Frustrating. #PAKvSA pic.twitter.com/FfVxQQiFEH
— OptaJim (@OptaJim) June 23, 2019
South Africa must think this World Cup is one long nightmare they are unable to wake up from. Pakistan still alive!
— Harsha Bhogle (@bhogleharsha) June 23, 2019
Pakistan fielders dropped 6 catches. They tried their best to save Pakistan from another heartbreaking loss against us in semis but South Africa had other plans. Well played South Africa. ??? #SAvPAK #PAKvSA
— Sir Jadeja fan (@SirJadeja) June 23, 2019
Teams with odd points.
IND and NZ are almost through. South Africa will be out. WI and BD can not go above Pakistan if PAK win the next three games (which means 11 points). So, Pakistan can qualify without worrying about Net Run Rate. #CWC19
— Mazher Arshad (@MazherArshad) June 23, 2019
A week is a long time in cricket: last Sunday, Pakistan was all over the place against India; today, top of their game: fine batting, quality spin and reverse swing. All good except their fielding which remains comical at times. is there any team as schizophrenic? #PAKvSA
— Rajdeep Sardesai (@sardesairajdeep) June 23, 2019
Best bowling average for Pakistan in a Cricket World Cup (Min: 10 wickets)
12.20 MOHAMMAD AMIR (2019)*
12.85 Shahid Afridi (2011)
13.05 Imran Khan (1987)
16.75 Wasim Akram (2003)
18.77 Wasim Akram (1992)— Mazher Arshad (@MazherArshad) June 23, 2019
Pakistan fight on in this World Cup. 1 done 3 to go:
South Africa ✅
New Zealand
Afghanistan
Bangladesh#CWC19 #PAKvSA— Saj Sadiq (@SajSadiqCricket) June 23, 2019
If dropping catches is an art , Pakistan cricket team is Picasso of it
— Khurram Naseer ?? (@BhattiGalSun) June 23, 2019
How interesting it will be if India ends number 1 and Pakistan af 4 while NZ plays Aus in the semis. Again India and Pakistan could meet at Old Trafford. Only Bangladesh needs to collapse since they have the capacity chasing up to 350. This will be Pakistan’s toughest match.
— Dr. Nauman Niaz (@DrNaumanNiaz) June 23, 2019
Only team Pakistan can win a match after dropping more than 5 chances in the field, this is exceptional, isn’t it? #PakvSA
— Ajmal Jami (@ajmaljami) June 23, 2019
Pakistan stays alive…but only just. Even after this win, they’re nowhere close to getting into the top four. Must beat NZ and Bangladesh to compensate for the big losses vs WI and Ind. #CWC19 #SAvPak
— Aakash Chopra (@cricketaakash) June 23, 2019
The Whole Stadium is Chanting
Dil Dil Pakistan & I cant Video them coz of the rights but goosebumps ??? #Wehavewewill— Ihtisham Ul Haq (@iihtishamm) June 23, 2019
https://twitter.com/ZHMagsi/status/1142847669041278979
9 years on from that dark day at Lord's for Mohammad Amir. Thousands at the same ground are now chanting "Amir, Amir, Amir, Amir" #CWC19 #PAKvSA
— Saj Sadiq (@SajSadiqCricket) June 23, 2019
https://twitter.com/CricHassan/status/1142823956971433984
✅Bangladesh beat SA by 21 runs
✅Pakistan beat England by 14 runs
✅Sri Lanka beat England by 20 runs
✅Pak beat South Africa by 49 runsToo many upsets in World Cup 2019 ??? #SAvPAK #PAKvSA #SAvsPAK
— Sir Jadeja fan (@SirJadeja) June 23, 2019