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PICS: Pakistan keep semis hopes alive after SA rout

Last updated on: June 23, 2019 23:30 IST

Images from Sunday's World Cup match between Pakistan and South Africa, at Lord's.

- SCORECARD

Haris Sohail

IMAGE: Haris Sohail’s 89 off 59 balls guided Pakistan to a competitive total against South Africa in Sunday's World Cup match at Lord's. Photograph: Peter Cziborra/Reuters

Pakistan kept alive their slender hopes of making the semi-finals of the World Cup by trouncing South Africa by 49 runs, at Lord’s, on Sunday.

Batting first, the 1992 champions posted 308 for 7, powered by Haris Sohail's 59-ball 89, the cornerstone of their innings.

In reply, South Africa could only muster 259 for nine in 50 overs.

 

With just three points from seven outings, South Africa are out of semi-final reckoning while Pakistan can still sneak into the semi-finals, provided they win their remaining matches and other results go in their favour.

Mohammad Amir celebrates taking the wicket of Faf du Plessis with teammates.

IMAGE: Mohammad Amir celebrates taking the wicket of Faf du Plessis with teammates. Photograph: Peter Cziborra/Reuters

Chasing 309, South Africa began on a poor note, losing Hashim Amla (2) in the second over.

There was swing straightaway for Mohammad Amir and even though the Pakistan pace spearhead's big appeal for an LBW could not impress the umpire, Hawkeye showed the ball would have hit the stumps, giving him a wicket off his first ball.

Faf de Plessis

IMAGE: Faf du Plessis waged a lone battle for South Africa, scoring 63 off 79 balls. Photograph: Peter Cziborra/Reuters

Skipper Faf du Plessis (63 off 79 balls) joined Quinton de Kock (47 off 60) early and the duo shared 87 runs for the second wicket to keep South Africa in the game.

De Kock fell three short of a fifty, and the Proteas lost two more wickets after that, giving Pakistan the upper hand.

Shadab Khan celebrates with Sararaz Ahmed after dismissing Aiden Markram.

IMAGE: Shadab Khan celebrates with Sararaz Ahmed after dismissing Aiden Markram. Photograph: Mike Hewitt/Getty Images

A 53-run partnership ensued between Rassie van der Dussen (36) and David Miller (31), but the former got out while trying to hit Shadab Khan against the turn. Miller, who failed to make use of two reprieves, was bowled by Shaheen Afridi to dash whatever little hopes South Africa had at that point.

Later, Andile Phehlukwayo blazed away to 46 off 32 balls with six boundaries.

Shadab (3/50 in 10 overs) and Wahab Riaz (3/46 in 10) were Pakistan's most successful bowlers, while Amir picked up two wickets.

Imran Tahir

IMAGE: Imran Tahir went past Allan Donald as the highest wicket-taker for the Proteas in World Cups with 38 wickets when he took a one-handed catch to dismiss Imam Wasim. Photograph: Peter Cziborra/Reuters

Earlier, batting first, Pakistan were off to their most convincing start in the tournament, the opening duo of Fakhar Zaman and Imam-ul-Haq adding 81 runs in just under 15 overs.

Both the openers struck six boundaries each during their stay in the middle but fell for an identical 44.

Fakhar and Imam drove and pulled pacers Kagiso Rabada and Lungi Ngidi (3/64) with authority.

Babar Azam

IMAGE: Babar Azam added added 81 runs for the fourth wicket with Haris Sohail. Photograph: Peter Cziborra/Reuters

Having seen off the South African pace duo without much difficulty, Imam welcomed first-change bowler Chris Morris with a drive through mid-off for a four. Before that Fakhar slogged-swept Ngidi for a six over deep midwicket.

South Africa had their first breakthrough when Imran Tahir (2/41) had Fakhar scooping one to the safe hands of Hashim Amla at first slip.

Aiden Markram

IMAGE: Aiden Markram successfully appeals for LBW against Mohammad Hafeez. Photograph: Peter Cziborra/Reuters

Tahir went past Allan Donald as the highest wicket-taker for the Proteas at World Cups with 38 wickets when he produced an excellent one-handed catch to dismiss Imam.

Mohammad Hafeez hit a six during his 20 but could not translate his start into a substantial knock thanks to Aiden Markram, who had the batsman trapped in front of the wicket.

Babar Azam oozed class as he worked the ball around for singles and twos in between seven boundaries, but the innings that propped up Pakistan was the one played by Sohail.