LONDON, June 22 (Agencies): With both teams virtually out of the semifinal race, South Africa and Pakistan will be battling it out for a consolation win in their World Cup match at the Lord's here on Sunday.
South Africa and Pakistan both have managed to win just one match so far in the tournament and are currently in eighth and ninth positions respectively in the World Cup points table. They both need to win all their remaining matches to have any chance of qualifying for the knockout stage, provided other teams' results also go in their favour.
“Pakistan plays better under pressure,” fast bowler Wahab Riaz says.
To soothe critical fans at home after the demoralizing defeat to India last Sunday, he adds, “We will qualify for the semifinals.”
Despite the promise, Riaz says the team can’t afford to think beyond this Sunday. The next game against New Zealand won’t mean as much if they don’t beat South Africa.
He says Pakistan has talked openly about its problems: Poor fielding, lack of penetration by the bowlers with the new ball, the lack of big scores by the batsmen.
“Good teams are those that discuss and talk about their mistakes openly to each other and we’ve done that. We will make up for our mistakes,” he promises again.
South Africa coach Ottis Gibson said the team have plenty to play for in their remaining three matches.
"We've still got three games to play and I'd like to think that we can at least play the way we know we can play," said Gibson.
For South Africa, leg-spinner Imran Tahir and middle-order batsman JP Duminy will both retire from ODIs at the end of the tournament after impressive careers.
"The thing about the squad is that there are guys playing their last World Cup and I'd like to think that they will leave the world stage having signed off on a strong note."
Pakistan fast bowler Wahab Riaz insists his teammates realise the importance of the do-or-die game and hopes displaying a united front against South Africa will spark a resurgence.
"We have to lift ourselves. We are each other's strength. We are all good friends and know that only 15 of us can lift the team which not even our family members can do," Wahab told the reporters, ahead of the game.
Batsmen from both teams have failed to perform consistently which probably is one of the reasons why they are placed near the bottom of the table.
There will be intervals of clouds and sunshine with humidity and dryness through the day.
It will also be the first match at the Lord's in the World Cup and it remains to be seen how the pitch will play.
Squads: Pakistan: Sarfaraz Ahmed (captain), Fakhar Zaman, Imam ul Haq, Babar Azam, Haris Sohail, Hasan Ali, Shahdab Khan, Mohammed Hafeez, Mohammed Hasnain, Shaheen Shah Afridi, Wahab Riaz, Mohammed Aamir, Shoaib Malik, Imad Wasim, Asif Ali.
South Africa: Faf du Plessis (captain), Quinton de Kock (wk), Aiden Markram, Hashim Amla, JP Duminy, David Miller, Kagiso Rabada, Dwaine Pertorius, Andile Phehlukwayo, Tabraiz Shamshi, Imran Tahir, Lungi Ngidi, Chris Morris, Rassie van der Dussen, Beuran Hendricks.
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