Sarfraz Ahmed stars in Pakistan's win over South Africa

A strong all-round show from Sarfraz Ahmed helped Pakistan beat South Africa by a 29-run margin in their World Cup 2015 Group B match played in Auckland on Saturday.

Ahmed replaced out-of-form opener Nasir Jamshed and he showed his class from the start of his innings. Sarfraz and Ahmed Shehzad got their side off to the best start of the tournament and added 30 runs, before Shehzad fell in the ninth over, after Dale Steyn pulled off a stunning catch at mid-on.

Sarfraz remained unperturbed and continued to target South Africa's new-ball attack. He hit five fours and three sixes in his 49, which lasted exactly the same number of balls.

He eventually fell in the 17th over, but his innings helped give Pakistan a sizeable 92-run platform. Misbah-ul-Haq and Younis Khan added 40 runs for the third wicket, before Khan fell.

Misbah held the innings together as Pakistan lost wickets regularly at the other end. He too eventually was dismissed for 56 off 86 balls. Pakistan managed to score 222, which was adjusted to a target of 232 by the Duckworth-Lewis-Stern method.

South Africa lost their opener Quinton de Kock from just the second ball of their innings. Hashim Amla and Faf du Plesis added 66 for the second wicket and wrestled back the advantage.

But the duo was dismissed four-balls apart and that got Pakistan back into the match. South Africa lost their fourth wicket in the 13th over and they had managed just 74 runs at that stage.

AB de Villiers was the only batsman from the middle-order who showed any signs of fight. He plundered Pakistan's attack for a quick fire 77 from 58 balls. His dismissal in the 33rd over signalled an end to South Africa's resistance. They were dismissed for 202 in 33.3 overs.

Sarfraz, who took the gloves from Umar Akmal, was instrumental in the field and took seven catches.

"I am very thankful to the world and Pakistan for this opportunity. I want to thank all those who supported me, including my family. This is my World Cup debut match, but Mushie bhai (Mushtaq Ahmed) had good words for me to encourage me and told me to go out and enjoy myself," Sarfraz, the Man of the match, said.