Pakistan vs South Africa: head-to-head comparison of two 'snoring' giants
How have Pakistan and South Africa fared against each other in World Cup and ODIs overall?
A beleaguered Pakistan take on an equally harrowed South Africa in their ICC Cricket World Cup 2019 encounter at Lord’s on Sunday.
Both the teams need a miracle to make the World Cup semi-finals. Pakistan have managed to win just one game so far – an upset victory over hosts and tournament favourites England. The Green Shirts have lost three matches – against West Indies, Australia, and India – while their fixture against Sri Lanka was washed out.
To have any chance of making it to the top four, Pakistan would need to win all four of their remaining matches, while New Zealand, who are so far unbeaten in the tournament, would have to lose all four of their remaining matches. Statistically possible? Yes. Probable? Not very much.
Read: 5 things Sarfaraz can do to salvage Pakistan’s disastrous World Cup campaign
South Africa have also flopped badly at the 50-over event in England and Wales, recording just one win, over Afghanistan, in their six matches so far. The Proteas did put up a fight against New Zealand on Wednesday, but lost a tense game mainly due to the unstoppable Kiwi skipper Kane Williamson’s brilliant hundred.
So how do Pakistan and South Africa fare against each other in the World Cup and one-day internationals overall?
Pakistan and South Africa have played 78 ODIs against each other, of which Pakistan have won 27 and lost 50. One game ended in no-result.
The World Cup record between the two sides is just as lop-sided as well. Pakistan and South Africa have faced off against each other four times in the mega tournament (1992, 1996, 1999, and 2015). The Green Shirts only managed to win one of these matches, and lost the other three.
World Cup 2015
Pakistan beat South Africa by 29 runs (D/L method) in their 2015 World Cup group match at Auckland on March 7, 2015 – their first ever victory against the Proteas in the World Cup. The star of the match was current Pakistan skipper Sarfaraz Ahmed, who stood his ground while opening the innings against a pace attack led by Dale Steyn with the new ball to score 49 off 49.
Pakistan posted a total of 222, also helped by then-captain Misbah-ul-Haq’s 56. They then bowled out South Africa for 202.
World Cup 1999
South Africa defeated Pakistan by 3 wickets at Nottingham on June 5, 1999. A late blitz by Moin Khan saw the team reach 220-7 at the end of 50 overs. But it was not enough as Jacques Kallis’ 54 and Lance Klusener’s 46 not out took South Africa home with an over to spare.
World Cup 1996
South Africa outclassed Pakistan by 5 wickets (with 34 balls remaining) in their group match at Karachi on February 29, 1996. Aamer Sohail’s 111 went in vain as Pakistan’s total of 242-6 was chased down by the Proteas with ease.
World Cup 1992
Imran Khan’s famed “Cornered Tigers” lost to South Africa by 20 runs (revised target) before eventually going on to defy the odds and lift the World Cup trophy.
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