CT-2017: Pakistan beats South Africa by 19 runs via D/L method

Birmingham: Pakistan has opened its account in the points table as it beats South Africa by 19 runs by DLS method in the Champions Trophy 2017 match at Edgbaston stadium here on Thursday.

Men in Green were ahead on the DLS par score when rain affected play.

Chasing the total of 219, Fakhar Zaman gave his side a flying start. In his 23-ball knock, he scored 31 with six boundaries. After the departure of opener Azhar Ali (9), Mohammaed Hafeez played 53-ball 26-run knock.

Azam and Malik (16) were unbeaten when rain halted the game.

Also read: CT-2017: Be ruthless and finish games off, skipper Kohli’s message to team

Earlier, Pakistan produced an excellent bowling effort to restrict South Africa to 219/8.

Pacer Hasan Ali spearheaded the Pakistan bowling attack with figures of 3/18. Fellow pacers Imad Wasim and Junaid Khan returned 2/20 and 2/53 respictively while off-spinner Mohammad Hafeez also bagged a wicket.

David Miller was the highlight of a poor batting effort by the Proteas, notching up a gritty half-century even as wickets fell at regular intervals at the other end.

The left-hander remained unbeaten on 75 off 104 deliveries with one boundary and three sixes.

The rest of the South African batsmen were no match for the scorching Pakistan pace attack with opener Quinton de Kock their second highest scorer with 33.

Hasan Ali was given Man of the Match for his wrecking bowling spell of 3/24.