Pakistan v South Africa

At Birmingham, June 10 (day/night). South Africa won by 67 runs. Toss: South Africa. One-day international debut: C. H. Morris.

Both sides bowled well, but South Africa bowled better. And though both sides batted less well, South Africa were merely off-colour, while Pakistan were dreadful. Amla - dropped by Umar Amin at point off Mohammad Irfan when seven - employed every one of his considerable skills to deflect, work and manoeuvre the ball into gaps, but the Pakistan top order appeared to accept that the pitch was an awkward one, and resigned themselves to being tied down. A capacity crowd of fanatical Pakistan supporters became steadily less animated; others might have been screaming "Do something!" South Africa's innings had promised significantly more but was undermined by two run-outs instigated by the 39-year-old Misbah-ul-Haq. He provided urgency with the bat, too, after a slow start. But the rest scratched and blocked as the run-rate climbed in the face of disciplined seam bowling from Tsotsobe, the debutant Chris Morris (drafted in as a replacement for the injured Morne Morkel) and McLaren, who took a career-best four for 19. The last six fell for 38, and Pakistan - dismissed with five overs unused - were left on the brink of elimination. "At the moment," said a mournful Misbah afterwards, "no one is justifying their place in the team."
Man of the Match: H. M. Amla. Attendance: 21,422.