Pakistan triumphed by 49 runs, scoring 308/7 (Haris 89, Babar 69; Tahir 2-41) and bowling South Africa out for 259/9 (du Plessis 63; Wahab 3-46, Shadab 3-50)
Playing with their backs against the wall, Pakistan produced a spirited performance to eliminate South Africa from the 2019 World Cup.
By prioritizing tactical logic in their team selection, Pakistan fielded a modified XI that earned a crucial 49-run win. The inclusion of Haris Sohail over Shoaib Malik paid off handsomely; Haris played a stunning knock of 89, showcasing the precise timing the team had been lacking. His brilliance followed a solid 81-run start from Fakhar Zaman and Imam-ul-Haq, while Babar Azam provided essential support with 69 runs. Haris continued to dominate during a 71-run partnership with Imad Wasim (23), hammering nine fours and three sixes to propel Pakistan to 308 for 7, including a late surge of 91 runs in the closing ten overs.
South Africa entered the match with a poor track record of chasing 300+ in World Cups, having never done so—their record remains a successful chase of 296 against India back in 2011. Furthermore, they hadn't successfully chased such a target in any ODI for nearly three years, since their 2016 clash with Australia. Although Ngidi managed to tighten things up in a strong final over by dismissing Wahab and Haris, the momentum had already shifted. Pakistan played with the confidence of a strong total, whereas South Africa appeared defeated by the target almost from the start.
Ngidi pulled things back a little with an exemplary final over, dismissing Wahab with his first ball and Haris with his fifth, but by then the damage had been done. Pakistan had a total which inspired them to believe, while South Africa’s chase lacked belief almost throughout.