Pakistan back in running after win over South Africa

Pakistan revived their Champions Trophy ambitions by beating South Africa by 19 runs in Group B in a rainaffected contest. Having restricted South Africa to 219 for eight after losing the toss, Pakistan were 119 for three after 27 overs and ahead of the par score under the Duckworth-lewis-stern scoring system when rain stopped play at Edgbaston.

No more play was possible in the contest, which was shaping up to be the most thrilling of the seven group-stage matches so far.

The result threw the group wide open, with India, Pakistan and South Africa all on two points. India play their match in hand against Sri Lanka at The Oval today.

South Africa, the world’s topranked one-day international team, were stifled by a Pakistan side who showed much more energy and enthusiasm than the team beaten by 124 runs by India on Sunday.

David Miller (75 not out) was the only South Africa batsman to reach a half-century as the Proteas got tied up by some consistent bowling by Pakistan, initially by spinners Imad Wasim and Mohammad Hafeez and then paceman Hasan Ali.

Proteas captain AB de Villiers departed first ball for the first time in 212 ODI innings.

Pakistan’s fast start to the reply was slowed when Fakhar Zaman (31) and Azhar Ali (9) went in the space of three balls to leave the score 41 for two.

Hafeez and Babar Azam struggled before opening up to get Pakistan back on track.

Hafeez fell for 26, Babar and Shoaib Malik were looking good on 31 and 16, respectively, when the rain arrived.