South Africa are 152-4 at the end of the 34th over as they attempt to chase down a meaty 309-run target set by a resurgent Pakistan at Lord’s Cricket Ground on Sunday in the 30th match of the tournament.
Partnerships:
- Hasim Amla (2) and Quinton de Kock (1): 3 from 7 balls
- Quinton de Kock (46) and Faf du Plessis (41): 87 from 109 balls
- Faf du Plessis (5) and Aiden Markram (7): 12 from 23 balls
- Faf du Plessis and Rassie van der Dussen: 33 from 38 balls
- Rassie van der Dussen and David Miller
As the game opened, the Proteas appeared to be in danger of capsizing as Mohammad Amir struck early on, capturing Hashim Amla’s wicket off his first delivery in his first over.
But Quinton de Kock and skipper Faf du Plessis held the ship steady after the initial loss, bringing up ─ and keeping ─ the run rate to a decent 7-something level.
Their 87-run partnership was terminated off a Shadab Khan delivery in the 20th over. De Kock dispatched the ball to the boundary, where Imamul Haq lay in wait. He dove to his left and scooped the ball up, just inches away from the ground.
Shadab struck again in the 24th over, sending Aiden Markram back to the pavilion with 7 runs to his name.
With skipper du Plessis at the crease along with Rassie van der Dussen, South Africa appeared to be in charge of the chase. But then Amir attacked a second time, taking du Plessis’ all-important scalp with some help from skipper Sarfaraz, who took the crucial catch for his side.
Both teams are fighting for World Cup survival. Pakistan need a win more than South Africa. Both teams have won only once, but Pakistan has a match in hand and a slightly better outside chance of making the semifinals. South Africa’s chances are remote ─ and gone if it loses.
The predictably unpredictable Greenshirts are trying to claw their way back from a thumping by India a week ago that left morale low and exposed the national side to widespread criticism. The Proteas lost to New Zealand on Wednesday. They have a 3-1 win-loss record against Pakistan in World Cup history.
