Pakistan condemn woeful South Africa to WC exit

June 25, 2019 00:00:00

Spectators looking on during the 2019 Cricket World Cup group stage match between Pakistan and South Africa at Lord's Cricket Ground in London on Sunday — AFP

LONDON, June 24 (AFP): Pakistan condemned South Africa to World Cup elimination and kept alive their own slender chances of advancing to the semi-finals with a 49-run win at Lord's on Sunday.

Chasing 309 to remain in the hunt for a last four berth, South Africa's survival bid petered out on 259-9.

Disciplined Pakistan bowling saw Shadab Khan and Wahab Riaz take three wickets each as South Africa surrendered without a fight.

Faf du Plessis's side had already been roughed up by Haris Sohail's brilliant 59-ball innings of 89 in Pakistan's total of 308-7 from their 50 overs.

South Africa's fifth defeat in seven World Cup matches confirmed their embarrassingly early exit, with matches against Sri Lanka and Australia still to play.

For just the second time in their history, and the first time since 2003, South Africa have failed to reach the knockout stages.

"The biggest downside is we are not doing ourselves justice as a team," said Du Plessis. "We are not playing the cricket we are capable of and that is extremely disappointing.

"For me the biggest disappointment is we are letting ourselves down with the skill that is in that dressing room."

South Africa have been beset by problems on and off the field-starting when AB de Villiers' late offer to come out of retirement for the World Cup was rejected and compounded by an injury that ruled pace bowler Dale Steyn out of the tournament.

Their campaign got off to the worst possible start when they were beaten by 104 runs by hosts England in the tournament opener and they never recovered, with a single win to show for their efforts, against Afghanistan.

Pakistan were also playing for their World Cup survival and their army of fans turned Lord's into a vibrant mass of green.

Their second win of the tournament gives Sarfaraz Ahmed's side hope of making the semi-finals, with three matches remaining in the battle to finish in the top four in the 10-team group stage.

Bangladesh's 322-3 against the West Indies was the only successful chase of more than 250 in this World Cup and South Africa never looked like emulating that feat.

The Proteas lost Hashim Amla early and managed only 38 from the first 10 overs.