Pakistan keep World Cup hopes alive, beat South Africa by 49 runs

Pakistan beat South Africa by 49 runs, after Proteas ended their inning on 259 runs at the loss of nine wickets in their 50-overs, while chasing 309 runs at the ICC World Cup 2019 on Sunday at the historic Lords.

For Pakistan, fast bowler Wahab Riaz and leggie Shadab Khan picked up three wickets a piece. Whereas, Mohammad Amir picked up two wickets, and Shaheen Shah Afridi picked 1 wicket.

Pakistan bowling spearhead Mohammad Amir striked at the first ball of his inning after he got Hashim Amla lbw on 2. The fast bowler returned to action and picked the scalp of Proteas skipper Faf du Plessis who got caught by Sarfaraz Ahmed, after a fighting knock of 63.

Pakistan leggie Shadab Khan got the breakthrough for his side with the wicket of the dangerous Quinton de Kock, who got caught by Imam ul Haq on 47, ending the 87 run second wicket stand between de Kock and du Plessis. The leg spinner did the magic once again, when he bowled Aiden Makram on 7.

Shadab picked up his third wicket, with the scalp of Rassie ven der Dussen, after the Proteas batsman got caught on 36 by Mohammad Hafeez.

Fast bowler Shaheen Shah Afridi joined the party, as he sent David Miller packing on 31.

Wahab Riaz picked the seventh South African wicket, as he bowled Chris Morris on 16. Kagiso Rabada was the second victim of Wahab Riaz, who got bowled on 3. Ngidi became Wahab's third victim on 1.

Pakistan posted 308 runs at the loss of seven wickets against South Africa, in their do and die match.

Haris Sohail played a terrific knock of 89 runs, with the ever so consistent Babar Azam adding 69 runs on the board. Pakistan enjoyed a opening stand of 81 runs as both Imam ul Haq and Fakhar Zaman scored 44, 44 runs respectively.

South Africa's leg spinner got the first breakthrough for his side, with the important wicket of Fakhar Zaman, who got caught by Hashim Amla on 44 runs. The leggie striked again this time with a terrific caught and bowled dismissal of Imam ul Haq on 44.

5⃣0⃣🆙

The seventh 50-run stand between @FakharZamanLive and @ImamUlHaq12 🙌🏼#PAKvSA Live Updates: https://t.co/NoiKxqozt7#CWC19 #WeHaveWeWill pic.twitter.com/zoHyy5Ux1d

— Pakistan Cricket (@TheRealPCB) June 23, 2019

South Africa's part-timer Aiden Makram got the important wicket of Mohammad Hafeez, after the cricket veteran got lbw on 20.

Andile Phehlukwayo dismissed Babar Azam, who got out after getting caught by Lungi Ngidi after a well played knock of 69 runs.

Lungi Ngidi picked the wicket of Imad Wasim, who got caught by JP Duminy after minting 23 runs. Ngidi striked in the final over after he bowled Wahab Riaz on 4. The speedster picked his third with the wicket of Haris Sohail, top edged it to fall straight into the hands of Quinton de Kock after an impressive inning of 89 runs off 59 deliveries.

Look who just showed up at Lords 

Army Chief General Qmar Javed Bajwa is in the ground watching #PAKvSA cricket match. After this match, he'll decide whether to take the team to Army School of Physical Training (ASPT) Kakul or not. 😁pic.twitter.com/vUoz6ZTALJ

— SHAH™ 🚩 (@WarWounded__) 23 June 2019

Earlier, Pakistan won the toss and opted to bat first against South Africa.

Haris Sohail and Shaheen Shah Afridi have joined the squad, whereas, veteran batsman Shoaib Malik and speedster Hasan Ali were benched.

"We are focusing on this match, hopefully we do well. It's an important game for us as there are three matches remaining after this. If we focus on one game at a time, hopefully we'll do well," said Sarfaraz at toss.

Teams:

Pakistan: Imam-ul-Haq, Fakhar Zaman, Babar Azam, Mohammad Hafeez, Haris Sohail, Sarfaraz Ahmed(w/c), Imad Wasim, Shadab Khan, Wahab Riaz, Mohammad Amir, Shaheen Afridi

South Africa: Quinton de Kock(w), Hashim Amla, Faf du Plessis(c), Aiden Markram, Rassie van der Dussen, David Miller, Andile Phehlukwayo, Chris Morris, Kagiso Rabada, Lungi Ngidi, Imran Tahir