ICC Cricket World Cup 2015: Pakistan vs South Africa, Pool B match in Auckland in caricatures

Two consecutive Saturdays, Eden Park in Auckland produced two thrillers. This time pre-tournament favourites South Africa were handed their second defeat and this time by Pakistan in the ongoing ICC Cricket World Cup 2015. Pakistan beat Proteas by 29 runs via Duckworth-Lewis Method, in the Pool B match 29. Man-of-the-match Sarfraz Ahmed sent out a strong statement to the Pakistan Cricket Board with his performance. He scored 49 runs in 49 balls and then took six catches behind the wickets, equalling the world record for catches by a wicketkeeper in a One-Day international (ODI). (ICC Cricket World Cup 2015: Full coverage)

The rain-curtailed match saw the Proteas manage just 202 from 33.3 overs, falling short of 29 while chasing a revised total of 232 to win from 47 overs in an innings twice interrupted by rain. Skipper AB de Villiers looked set to bring his team home before he was caught behind by Sarfraz for 77 from 58 deliveries off Sohail Khan’s ball in the 33rd over.  South Africa’s task of winning the match seemed distant after his wicket as they folded their innings for 202. Among the Pakistan bowlers, Rahat Ali proved to be the most successful with three for 40 while Mohammad Irfan and Wahab Riaz, also took three wickets each. It meant that the left arm seamers picked up nine wickets among them.

In the first innings, skipper Misbah-ul-Haq‘s half-century and Sarfraz Ahmed‘s rapid 49 helped Pakistan score 222 before getting bowled out in 46.4 overs. South Africa were very impressive with the ball as Dale Steyn picked up three wickets, with Kyle Abbott and Morne Morkel taking two wickets each. (ICC Cricket World Cup 2015: Points Table)

Add Cricket Country as a Preferred Source

Brief scores:

Pakistan 222 in 46.4 overs (Sarfraz Ahmed 49, Younis Khan 37, Misbah-ul-Haq 56; Dale Steyn 3 for 30, Morne Morkel 2 for 25, Kyle Abbott 2 for 45) beat South Africa 202 in 33.3 overs (Hashim Amla 38, AB de Villiers 77; Rahat Ali 3 for 40, Wahab Riaz 3 for 45, Mohammad Irfan 3 for 52) by 29 runs via D/L Method