After 50 overs, South Africa 259/9 - Phehlukwayo 46, Tahir 1
Phehlukwayo fought hard till the end but that is it for South Africa and their World Cup hopes. They are definitely out of the reckoning now. Pakistan were far too good with the bat and the ball and despite a horrendous fielding effort, they were still much better than the Proteas.
After 48.2 overs, South Africa 246/9 - Phehlukwayo 34
WICKET! Wahab is getting ball to reverse and the tailenders don’t quite know how to deal with it. He made it even more difficult for Ngidi by deciding to go round the wicket and angle the ball in. The ball did that and then moved away. Superb bowling.
Lungi Ngidi b Riaz 1(6)
After 46.5 overs, South Africa 239/8 - Phehlukwayo 29
WICKET! Wahab repeats the dose. A fast late-swinging full toss was too much for Rabada to handle.
Rabada b Riaz 3 (7)
After 44.2 overs, South Africa 222/7 - Phehlukwayo 16
WICKET! Full and fast from Wahab and Morris had no answer to it. Just too good by the fast bowler.
Chris Morris b Riaz 16 (10, 4x1, 6x1)
After 44 overs, South Africa 221/6 - Phehlukwayo 15, Morris 16
Shadab’s spell comes to an end. 10-1-50-3. He did all the damage and SA never recovered.
After 43 overs, South Africa 213/6 - Phehlukwayo 9, Morris 13
16 runs off the Afridi over. Showing his inexperience. Too short or too full and he was punished on both occasions by Morris. The first shot went for a four and the second was a lovely straight lofted shot for six.
After 40.5 overs, South Africa 192/6 - Phehlukwayo 2
WICKET! Oh well, that review didn’t amount to much after all. Miller went down the track to Afridi and missed the ball, which went on to crash into the stumps.
Miller b Shaheen Afridi 31 (37, 4x3)
After 40 overs, South Africa 189/5 - Miller 30, Phehlukwayo 0
Miller survived on the last ball of the over thanks to a quick review. The umpire had given him out LBW but the review showed that his bat had touched the ball.
After 39.4 overs, South Africa 189/5 - Miller 29
WICKET! Finally, Pakistan have held on to a chance. Would you believe it? Shadab was brought back into the attack was exactly this. VDD decided to slog him, got the top edge and Hafeez managed to hold on.
van der Dussen c Hafeez b Shadab Khan 36(47, 4x1, 6x1)
After 39 overs, South Africa 186/4 - van der Dussen 35, Miller 29
SA seem to be trying to catch up with the D/L par score at the moment. Those dropped chances have given the batsmen a boost. The stand between the two is now worth 50 off 57 balls.
After 37 overs, South Africa 168/4 - van der Dussen 24, Miller 21
Pakistan have been let down by their catching today. It has been exceptionally poor. In this over from Wahab, VDD was dropped by Sarfaraz and Miller was dropped by Amir in the deep. Both should have been taken, both were not. Poor, poor cricket.
After 35 overs, South Africa 159/4 - van der Dussen 23, Miller 17
15 overs remain in the game and the required run-rate is over 10 now. SA are hanging in there but only just. Someone, somehow needs to go pretty crazy. SA need to find their Brathwaite now. Time for a drinks break.
After 32 overs, South Africa 143/4 - van der Dussen 19, Miller 4
Miller is limping. He picked up an injury while fielding but has still been sent out to bat ahead of Phehlukwayo. Good decision?
After 29.3 overs, South Africa 136/4 - van der Dussen 16
WICKET! The South African skipper is walking back to the dressing room now. He decided to take on the in-form Amir, went for the pull, got the top edge that was easily taken by Sarfaraz. Is that it then?
du Plessis c Sarfaraz b Amir 63 (79, 4x5)
After 28 overs, South Africa 130/3 - Du Plessis 60, van der Dussen 13
12 runs from the Shadab over and almost one wicket. VDD decided to hit him straight and hit and he almost found Amir in the deep. Still, the required rate is now above 8, SA have to go for it.
After 25 overs, South Africa 106/3 - Du Plessis 46, van der Dussen 1
SA need singles, they need a partnership, they need to consolidate, they need a lot of things. Anything other than wickets. Pakistan lost their review in the last over when Sarfaraz and Imad were convinced that du Plessis has edged it through to the keeper. But there was no spike on the ultra edge.
After 23.1 overs, South Africa 103/3 - Du Plessis 46
WICKET! Markram had no clue. Straight delivery, it skid and kept a little low. The batsman shaped up to cut, misread the length and was bowled. His technique against spin has been badly exposed.
Markram b Shadab Khan 7(16)
After 22 overs, South Africa 97/2 - Du Plessis 43, Markram 5
SA were building some momentum but now, thanks to de Kock’s dismissal, they will have to start all over again. It will allow Pakistan to put more pressure and the scoreboard pressure won’t make things easy either.
After 19.2 overs, South Africa 91/2 - Du Plessis 40
WICKET! de Kock throws it away. A rush of blood. He just wasn’t thinking long-term. Decided to attack Shadab again, didn’t connect as well and Imam in the deep took a good catch. Poor cricket by de Kock and SA. The umpire’s review confirmed that it was caught well.
de Kock c Imam b Shadab Khan 47 (60, 4x3, 6x2)
After 19 overs, South Africa 90/1 - de Kock 47, Du Plessis 40
de Kock is going for it and Wahab is helping him with some poor bowling. He went wide and the left-hander helped himself to four, just cutting the ball. Wahab responded by then sending one on the legs and the batsman helped the ball along for a six.
After 17 overs, South Africa 73/1 - de Kock 34, Du Plessis 36
de Kock is suddenly in a rush of sorts but Du Plessis needs to speak to him and remind him that this is a 50-over game. The left-handed opener is looking to play the big shots but the partnership is a vital one for SA – the longer these two stay together, the more pressure on Pakistan.
After 16 overs, South Africa 70/1 - de Kock 32, Du Plessis 35
Shadab into the attack and he was greeted by the sight of de Kock slog sweeping him for a six. Given how well Tahir bowled, this could be a vital spell for Pakistan and could explain why SA are keen to not let him settle.
After 14 overs, South Africa 59/1 - de Kock 23, Du Plessis 33
Finally, De Kock seems to have got his touch back and lofts Wasim over extra cover for a stylish boundary. The duo are now rotating strike well and look to be at ease. Hint of frustration on Sarfaraz’s face.
After 12 overs, South Africa 51/1 - de Kock 17, Du Plessis 31
De Kock breaks the shackles with a fine cut shot off Imad Wasim. South Africa bring up their fifty in the 12th over. They need to get a move on here.
After 11 overs, South Africa 44/1 - de Kock 12, Du Plessis 29
This is has been a good start for Du Plessis. Can he make it count? South Africa’s chances depend a lot on their skipper getting a big score. Here, he drives Afridi on the up and gets another four.
After 10 overs, South Africa 38/1 - de Kock 11, Du Plessis 24
Du Plessis gets a boundary off Imam. He came out and made it a full toss and the ball went down the ground. Pakistan are keeping it tight, though. South Africa need a good run-scoring phase.
After 9 overs, South Africa 32/1 - de Kock 10, Du Plessis 19
The pressure is building and Du Plessis survives. Shadab Khan dived full length from point but couldn’t hold onto it. The South Africa captain was playing away from the body. Just one from the Afridi over.
After 8 overs, South Africa 31/1 - de Kock 10, Du Plessis 18
There are edges flying off Du Plessis’ blade and Sarfarfaz should consider bringing in a second slip when Amir is in action. Yet another fine over from the left-armer and the pressure is building.
After 6 overs, South Africa 26/1 - de Kock 7, Du Plessis 16
At the other end, though, Amir continues to build pressure on South Africa. The left-right combination doesn’t hamper his rhythm whatsoever and the ball is seaming around. Just three from the over.
After 5 overs, South Africa 23/1 - de Kock 6, Du Plessis 14
Ohhh....Afridi almost removes Du Plessis. The South Africa captain gets a thick inside edge and the ball runs away to the fence. The final ball of ball of the over, though, is full and wide and Du Plessis threads it wide of mid-off for a boundary.
Shaheen Afridi is handed the ball.
After 4 overs, South Africa 15/1 - de Kock 6, Du Plessis 6
Amir is getting pace and movement and doesn’t give De Kock any room. The final ball was on his pads but the opener can’t tuck it away. Maiden over for Amir, who is in the middle of an inspired spell.
After 3 overs, South Africa 15/1 - de Kock 6, Du Plessis 6
Hafeez is given the ball in the powerplay and South Africa are up and running. They are taking singles and twos and are not letting bowlers dictate terms in the contest.
After 1.1 overs, South Africa 4/1 - de Kock 1
WICKET! Amir strikes with his first ball. And what a fantastic review! It looked in real time to be a bad decision to call for DRS for LBW against Amla but Amir and Sarfaraz are right. It’s plumb in front.
After 1 over, South Africa 4/0 - de Kock 1, Amla 2
The move to get Hafeez to open the bowling almost worked for Pakistan. de Kock decided he wasn’t even going to have a sighter and tried to smash the ball. But he didn’t connect well and managed to only hit it as far as mid-on where a diving Wahab failed to hold on. How big a miss will that prove to be?
SA are out to bat and Hafeez has the new ball.
After 50 overs, Pakistan 308/7 - Sarfaraz 2, Shadab 1
91 runs in the last 10 overs for Pakistan with much of the damage being done by Haris Sohail. It got away from SA quickly after the left-hander got going but Pakistan played intelligently today. They got a good start and then carried on with a good knock from Babar Azam holding the innings together well.
After 49.5 overs, Pakistan 307/7 - Sarfaraz 2
WICKET! Haris doesn’t get to his hundred but he has made sure Pakistan will have a very good chance when they come out to field. He middled everything from the start of the innings and made that form count. Was dismissed going for a pull, got the top-edge taken by the keeper. Wicket for Ngidi.
Haris Sohail c de Kock b Lungi Ngidi 89 (59, 4x9, 6x3)
After 49 overs, Pakistan 304/5 - Haris 88, Wahab 4
6 balls to go, cna Haris get to a well-deserved 100? A four off the last ball of the Rabada got him closer but he won’t have the strike when the last over begins.
After 48 overs, Pakistan 295/5 - Haris 83
WICKET! Wasim falls while going for a big shot straight down the ground. He didn’t connect too well and JP Duminy, on as a sub, took a great catch diving forward. Solid partnership with Haris, put even more pressure on SA.
Imad Wasim c (sub)Duminy b Lungi Ngidi 23 (15, 4x3)
After 47 overs, Pakistan 287/4 - Haris 81, Imad 17
58 runs in the last 5 overs. A superb turnaround for Pakistan – they can get 300 and more... one big over. SA looking really flat in the fielder right now.
After 46 overs, Pakistan 277/4 - Haris 79, Imad 10
The 50-run stand came up off just 26 balls. It is the second fastest fifty run stand in the tournament and suddenly, 300 doesn’t seem so far away.
After 45 overs, Pakistan 266/4 - Haris 72, Imad 5
Luck is with Haris too. He hit one up on the off-side and two fielders were converging upon it but Tahir, the one closest to it, failed to hold on. He got another four later in the over. Haris has 72 off 47!
After 44 overs, Pakistan 258/4 - Haris 65, Imad 5
And this just keeps getting better for Pakistan. Haris is playing a blinder here and almost everything he touches is turning into gold. A six and a four to seal a 16-run over for Pakistan. This stand is 34 off 16.
After 43 overs, Pakistan 242/4 - Haris 54, Imad 0
53 off 38, his 11th ODI fifty and what a knock it has been. He hasn’t put a foot wrong today and helped Pakistan raise their run-rate effortlessly. South Africa need to get rid of him or the game will go away from them very quickly.
After 41.3 overs, Pakistan 224/4 - Haris 40
WICKET! Phehlukwayo turns his golden arm over to break a dangerous stand [81 off 68] and send back Babar. The right-hander probably felt he needed to play some shots as well but he only found Ngidi in the deep.
Babar Azam c Lungi Ngidi b Phehlukwayo 69 (80, 4x7)
After 40 overs, Pakistan 217/3 - Babar 64, Haris 38
After 30 overs, Pakistan were 143/3. This has been a superb partnership and SA have had no answer to this. It has pushed the Proteas into a corner. At one point, it looked like 250 might be likely, now Paksitan should be aiming for much more.
After 38 overs, Pakistan 206/3 - Babar 61, Haris 32
This stand is worth 63 off 48 balls. They are raising the tempo and SA look a little confused at the moment. The quick flurry of fours has given the innings some solid momentum.
After 36 overs, Pakistan 191/3 - Babar 51, Haris 28
50 off 61 balls for Babar. It has been a classic innings. Typically Babar. Nothing too flashy but he has got the job done for his team. But they need him to stay till the end. Haris is going for it at the other end – he has 28 off 15 balls.
After 35 overs, Pakistan 184/3 - Babar 49, Haris 23
15 overs to go and Pakistan are in a good position. Haris has come in and hit the straps right away and there was further proof of that as he smashed Rabada over deep point for a fabulous six. The South African speedster has struggled today – 8-0-47-0 so far.
After 34 overs, Pakistan 171/3 - Babar 47, Haris 12
Babar has looked very good – just a couple of play and missed in what has otherwise been a flawless innings. He is making sure Pakistan stay in this with some sensible cricket.
After 33 overs, Pakistan 162/3 - Babar 39, Haris 11
Steady stuff but who will Pakistan turn to for an injection of pace? Which is why they will need to steadily raise the tempo in the last 15 overs.
After 32 overs, Pakistan 156/3 - Babar 38, Haris 6
Time for a drinks break. Pakistan are in a good enough situation but they will now have to start thinking about the kind of total they have in mind... will 250-260 be good enough on this wicket or do they need to aim for 280-300?
After 30 overs, Pakistan 143/3 - Babar 31
WICKET! Hafeez never looked settled and he is now walking back. He tried to play the sweep, missed it and was trapped LBW. Discussed taking a review with Babar but ran out of time.
Hafeez lbw b Markram 20 (33, 6x1)
After 29 overs, Pakistan 139/2 - Babar 29, Hafeez 19
Last 5 overs, just 14 runs for Pakistan. Something’s got to give soon. Good period of play for SA.
After 28 overs, Pakistan 138/2 - Babar 28, Hafeez 19
Aiden Markham into the attack and he concedes just two runs. SA have done well to not let Pakistan get away after the start they had. Tahir has played a huge role in their comeback but he has just three more overs left.
After 25 overs, Pakistan 133/2 - Babar 25, Hafeez 17
REVIEW LOST! Hafeez went for the slog sweep, missed Tahir’s googly and the leg-spinner went straight upstairs without even waiting for the skipper. The replays revealed that it would have gone over the stumps. Strange shot from Hafeez though, especially when one considers that he had just smashed the earlier ball for a six.
After 24 overs, Pakistan 125/2 - Babar 25, Hafeez 9
Big over for Pakistan – 11 runs off it. It will ease the pressure a little. Just allows the batsmen to take their time a little bit more.
After 23 overs, Pakistan 114/2 - Babar 19, Hafeez 5
A chance for Hafeez. Tahir could have got his third wicket of the innings if only de Kock had managed to hold on to a snick. Just the kind of thing that could have send Pakistan into a free fall. Big miss this!
After 22 overs, Pakistan 108/2 - Babar 17, Hafeez 1
There doesn’t seem to be too much in the wicket and Pakistan need to make sure they put up a good total on board. Tahir has been the danger man but everyone else is fair game. Two lovely fours by Babar in the Ngidi over.
After 20.3 overs, Pakistan 98/2 - Babar 8
WICKET! Tahir, you beauty!!! Imam struck it back towards the bowler with some force, Tahir got his right hand down and held onto it with just one hand. He seemed to surprise himself too. The umpires were sure about this one and the leg-spinner was off and running. What a catch! What a player! He is turning this around for SA.
Imam c and b Tahir 44 (57, 4x6)
After 20 overs, Pakistan 97/1 - Imam 44, Babar 7
One spanking shot through the point region for Babar in the last over. He doesn’t look very stylish but he quietly goes about his job and today, with their World Cup on the line, Pakistan need him to come good.
After 19 overs, Pakistan 92/1 - Imam 44, Babar 2
Imran Tahir introduction into the attack has changed things. Pakistan’s batsman haven’t been able to get him away. In 3 overs, the leg-spinner has conceded just 9 runs and taken a wicket too. But Pakistan have two spinners in their line-up and that could trouble SA later on.
After 16 overs, Pakistan 88/1 - Imam 41, Babar 1
Imam has looked very solid today but that doesn’t mean he hasn’t played his shots. Another lovely shot through the leg-side. He has picked the gaps in the field with ease.
After 14.5 overs, Pakistan 81/1 - Imam 35
WICKET! And the wicket comes out of the blue, Fakhar was looking so good, had hit a lovely four earlier in the over and then decided he needed to get cute. Tried to play a pre-meditated scoop shot but only hit it straight up and first slip completed an easy catch.
Fakhar Zaman c Hashim Amla b Imran Tahir 44 (50b, 6x4, 1x6)
After 14 overs, Pakistan 74/0 - Imam 34, Zaman 38
Morris with another good over. Just one run.
After 13 overs, Pakistan 73/0 - Imam 33, Zaman 38
Steady as a rock. Pakistan can collapse at any time – that’s what they do – but for that to happen, SA need to get a breakthrough first. So far, the openers have played intelligent cricket and not tried to do anything silly.
After 12 overs, Pakistan 67/0 - Imam 32, Zaman 33
Off the second ball of the over, Fakhar played his trademark pull across the line but he hit it straight to Tahir, who seemed to take a good catch and set off on one of his runs. But the batsman wasn’t convinced and neither were the umpires. They went up for the review and the soft signal was not out. The replays seemed to confirm their suspicions but Faf du Plessis was not pleased. He had a long chat with the umpires. To add insult to injury, Fakhar pulled the next ball for four.
After 11 overs, Pakistan 61/0 - Imam 31, Zaman 28
Another steady over for SA. Phehlukwayo, who has now been pressed into the attack. After the initial flurry of fours, things have settled down a bit and Pakistan need to remain patient now.
After 10 overs, Pakistan 58/0 - Imam 30, Zaman 27
Two good over for SA – just four runs off them. The dot balls might be just the thing they need to put some pressure on the openers.
After 8 overs, Pakistan 54/0 - Imam 29, Zaman 24
The fifty of the partnership came up in just 7.1 overs. They haven’t even had to do anything extreme. The South Africans have been a tad too full... a tad too wide and Pakistan have punished them. Morris, who has been South Africa’s best bowler in the tournament, is now into the attack and he did manage to get an edge from Imam’s bat but it flew through the vacant slip area. Hashim Amla was in the second-third slip region and this flew between him and the keeper.
After 7 overs, Pakistan 46/0 - Imam 21, Zaman 24
Just two runs from the over. Some breathing room for SA. The Pakistan openers have been severe on anything loose.
After 6 overs, Pakistan 44/0 - Imam 20, Zaman 24
It looked like Ngidi had bowled a decent over. Just three runs off the first five ball and then it got a bit too straight. Too straight and too full. Fakhar was onto it in a flash, picked it up and deposited it over the deep cover boundary line for a six. Stunning shot.
After 5 overs, Pakistan 35/0 - Imam 17, Zaman 18
Pakistan are making it look easy. It is a good positive start by the openers – the ball isn’t doing much and for the moment, it seems to be travelling to the boundary line an awful lot. SA would not like how things are going right now.
After 4 overs, Pakistan 29/0 - Imam 16, Zaman 13
Three fours in the over for Imam and each one was better than the previous one. All were hit through the offside. Ngidi was far too full on a pitch that seems to have nothing for the bowlers at the moment. Some brilliant shots.
After 3 overs, Pakistan 17/0 - Imam 4, Zaman 13
Fakhar is feeling it today. Two awesome fours off Rabada in the over. The second was picked off the off-stump and smashed towards the backward square leg region. One bounce into the boundary line.
After 2 overs, Pakistan 9/0 - Imam 4, Zaman 5
Nice carry for Ngidi, three dot balls to start the over, but the fourth ball of the over was slightly over-pitched and Imam drives on the up to get a couple. Width on offer in the final ball of the over and Zaman keeps strike with an agricultural swat wide of mid-off.
Ngidi to bowl the second over.
After 1 over, Pakistan 5/0 - Imam 1, Zaman 4
Good start for Pakistan. Slightly short from Rabada and Zaman latches onto it. It was cut away through the covers for a boundary. Du Plessis is going for wickets, there are two slips in place. Five from the over.
Pakistan: Imam-ul-Haq, Fakhar Zaman, Babar Azam, Mohammad Hafeez, Haris Sohail, Sarfaraz Ahmed (wk/c), Imad Wasim, Shadab Khan, Wahab Riaz, Mohammad Amir, Shaheen Afridi
South Africa: Quinton de Kock (wk), Hashim Amla, Faf du Plessis (c), Aiden Markram, Rassie van der Dussen, David Miller, Andile Phehlukwayo, Chris Morris, Kagiso Rabada, Lungi Ngidi, Imran Tahir
2:36 pm: “There’s pressure every game you play, especially in the World Cup. It’s the same team, gives us a good balance. I was going to bowl first anyways, it’s a good toss to lose,” says Faf du Plessis. South Africa are unchanged from their loss to New Zealand.
2:32 pm: Pakistan win the toss and have opted to bat first. Haris Sohail and Shaheen Afridi come in place of Shoaib Malik and Hassan Ali. “It looks like a good wicket to bat on. We’ll put runs on the board and defend it. We are focussing on this match, hopefully we do well,” says Sarfaraz Ahmed.
2:28 pm: The captains make their way to the centre. It’s toss time.
2:26 pm: There are question marks over Shoaib Malik’s place in the XI. Will South Africa opt for a left-armer in this encounter? There are question marks aplenty.
2:16 pm: Pakistan skipper Sarfaraz Ahmed has urged fans to refrain from abuse – Read. He also insisted the morale is still high in his camp.
2:13 pm: It’s a bright and sunny at Lord’s. The rains have shown mercy over the past week and we expect a full day’s play without interruptions.
2:05 pm: Hello and welcome to the live updates of the group game between Pakistan and South Africa as the action shifts to the home of cricket, the Lord’s, for the first time in the tournament. Three other group games will also be played at the same venue before the final on July 14.
The World Cup started on a sombre note with one-sided contests galore and four matches washed out due to rain. Just then, things have gathered steam over the past few days. New Zealand played out two thrillers while India and Afghanistan were also involved in a tense battle. England and Sri Lanka also played out an epic contest, and the latter’s win is seen as the biggest upset of the tournament so far.
South Africa have had a disastrous campaign and have come out second best against every team barring Afghanistan. Their top-order simply hasn’t clicked. Pakistan have problems aplenty and play their first match since slumping to a heavy defeat against neighbours India, a result that saw widespread backlash from fans and pundits back home. The pressure is on the 1992 champions but this is a must win contest for South Africa too as their hopes of reaching the semi-finals are on the edge.