South Africa set 235 run target for Pakistan

BIRMINGHAM: Four run-outs and Pakistan bowlers’ late assault restricted South Africa to 234-9 despite opener Hashim Amla’s brilliant 81 in Group B day-night match in Champions Trophy here at Edgbaston on Monday.

Both Pakistan and South Africa needed to win this day/night fixture after losing their opening Group B matches to the West Indies and India respectively.

After South Africa captain AB de Villiers won the toss and decided to bat first, his openers Hashim Amla and Colin Ingram batted slowly reaching fifty in 14 overs before off-break bowler Mohammad Hafeez made breakthrough having Ingram lbw on the sweep for 20.

Amla's innings apart, no other batsman made more than de Villiers' run-a-ball 31.

Off-spinner Mohammad Hafeez took one for 38 from 10 overs and towering left-arm seamer Mohammd Irfan one for 27 in an innings featuring four run-outs, including two in the final over.

But the prospect of Amla, second in the ODI batting rankings, enjoying a lengthy stand with his top-ranked captain ended when he reverse swept off-spinner Saeed Ajmal to Hafeez at short third man.

Amla faced 97 balls with nine fours.

De Villiers was run out, slipping on the turn after a mix-up with Duminy, who in turn fell in similar fashion. (AFP)