Pakistan win by 49 runs

Pakistan 308-7 (50 overs): Haris 89, Babar 69, Ngidi 3-64
South Africa 259-9 (50 overs): Du Plessis 63, Wahab 3-46, Shadab 3-50
Pakistan won by 49 runs; S Africa eliminated

 

LONDON

South Africa were knocked out the World Cup as Pakistan inflicted a fifth defeat on the struggling Proteas  to keep their own semi-final hopes alive.

In the must-win meeting, the 1992 champions won by 49 runs to register just their second win from six games.

Haris Sohail’s entertaining 89 and 69 from Babar Azam saw Pakistan make 308-7 after they won the toss at Lord’s.

Despite 63 from captain Faf du Plessis, South Africa never got up with the required rate and finished on 259-9.

Beaten semi-finalists in 2015, South Africa were ranked fourth coming into the tournament.

But a wretched showing, with just a solitary victory against Afghanistan to date, means they now have just pride to play for in their remaining two games, against Sri Lanka on Friday and Australia on 6 July.

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 308-7.

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 World Cup knockout stages.

The post-mortem into a woeful World Cup campaign will raise pointed questions about the futures of captain Du Plessis and coach Ottis Gibson.

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.

Their campaign got off to the worst possible start when they were thrashed by hosts England in the tournament opener.