ICC World Cup 2019 Match 30 Played at Lords on 23 June 

Pakistan Vs South Africa 
Brief Score Card 

Pakistan 308/7 (Haris Sohail 89, Babar Azam 69, Fakhar Zaman 44, Imam UlHaq 44, Imad Wasim 23, L Ngidi 3/69, Imran Tahir 2/41) beat South Africa 259/9 (F du Plessis 63, Q de Kock 47, Al Phehlukayo 46*, HE Vander Dussen 36, David Miller 31, Wahab Riaz 3/46, Shadab Khan 3/50, Mohammad Amir 2/47) by 49 runs.

Player of the Match: Harris Sohail

An impressive win of inconsistent Pakistan against clueless South Africa by 49 runs at cricket capital Lords kept its semi final hopes alive. With five points in six matches Pakistan joins the race for a probable last slot in the top four along with its South Asian neighbors Bangladesh and Sri Lanka. 

The team that wins all their remaining matches may snick through provided England looses all their remaining matches. There are now many permutations and combinations created for the reaming matches . Every match of the fringe teams from here on has become virtual knock out. 

Batting first Pakistan posted an impressive 308 /7 through a team effort with several batsmen in the top order contributed a quick fire 89 by Haris Sohail spearheaded. Despite of ordinary fielding Pakistan managed elbowing out South Africa as they could reach 254/9 in their allotted overs. While this win renewed hopes of Pakistan, the fate of South Africa of exiting from World Cup 2019 is sealed.

The rat race for the qualification for the semi finals has now taken new dimensions. New Zealand, Australia and India appear more or less secure in comfortable positions with 11, 10 and 9 points. New Zealand and Australia played 6 matches each while India played 5. England’s position now at fourth with 8 points from 6 matches does not look secure. 

Sri Lanka, Bangladesh and Pakistan are now breathing on the shoulders of the hosts. For confirming their berth they have to win at least two of their remaining matches against Australia, India and New Zealand.  Of the 10 participants in World Cup 2019 

Important Matches

It was the first match at cricket Capital Lords, London in World Cup 2019. Sun kept shining in the picturesque ground as the terrace was full of loud shouting Pakistanis out numbering protean. Batting first Pakistan looked in positive frame of mind. 

Openers Imam UlHaq and Fakhar Zaman delighted Sunday crowd with some spectacular drives, cuts and pulls. 81 runs were scored in the first wicket when a brain freeze by Fakhar Zaman (44) cost his wicket. He tried an unnecessary reverse sweep against Imran Tahir only to spoon up a catch for Amla in the slip. Babar joined Imam. But Imam (44) also did not last long getting out caught and bowled by Tahir. 

Talented Babar Azam looked as comfortable as ever. Together with “Professor” Hafiz the pair put on 47 runs for the third wicket before Hafiz fell to Markram. Pakistan drafted talented left handed batsman Harris Sohail for the match replacing Shoaib Malik. 

This proved a correct decision. Sohail looked impressive right from the word go. He looked elegant and graceful in his stroke play and matched excellently with Babar Azam. The pair put on 81 impressive runs in the 4th wicket partnership before Babar (69) got out. At 4/224 in the 42nd overs Pakistan platform was set for launching big. However Harris (89), Imad (23) could lead them to 308/7 in allotted overs which proved well beyond the reach of pathetic protean. 

Harris blasted 89 in 59 deliveries with 9 fours and 3 sixes. Many observed that in this Pakistan line up Harris should bat at number four. Pakistan also lacks a finisher at 6 and 7.

The response of South Africa did not get going. Amir struck early blow removing Hashim Amla. Q de Kock and Faf du Plessis tried to resurrect putting together 87 runs in the second wicket before Leg Spinner Shadab Khan removed de Kock (47). Shadab also quickly cleaned up Markram. The deadly blow was struck by Amir when he accounted for well set du Plessis (63). From there on South African innings never got the required momentum for overhauling the target . WahabRiaz bowled fast and swung reverse. 

Vander Dussen (36), Miller (31) and Phehlulkwayo (46*) got start but could not convert as Wahab mopped up the tail quickly. South Africa could reach 259/9 when overs ran out. Wahab with 3/46 and Shadab with 3/50 were the main tormentors. Amir grabbed two important wickets of Amla and du Plessis.

Pakistan won by 49 runs. 
Pakistan so far has shown traditional ups and downs in the tournament. They started disastrously against West Indies, bounced back impressively against host England . Then they were crushed by traditional rival India. Now with 5 points in 6 matches their fate is carved out. They can still qualify if they win all three of their remaining matches and other results go their way.

For South Africa this world cup would remain a night mare for them. Such a talented unit yet they failed living up to reputation. Key players got injured, top guns did not fire. They will leave World Cup 2019 with lot of home works requiring for their future missions.

BDST: 0925 HRS, JUNE 24, 2019
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