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World Cup: Pakistan pay for their many flaws

South Africa (243-5) beat Pakistan (242-6) by 5 wickets

A Sub-standard performance by Pakistan, in spite of the backing of a cacophonous full house at the national stadium here, should give England some much-needed confidence for their game against the holders at the same ground on Sunday.

Michael Atherton's side may not reach the same high level of achievement as an authoritative South Africa, who won their fourth game in a row by five wickets with nearly eight overs to spare.

But on this showing, Pakistan are very flawed: elementary flaws still litter their out-fielding, their attack fell far below its capability - conceding more than two extra overs in no balls and wides - and the batsmen did not make proper use of a benign pitch. Captain Wasim Akram even admitted misreading the pitch by playing two spinners.

If Pakistan want to stay here for their quarter-final it might suit them to lose on Sunday and aim to finish fourth in group B. That in turn could send England to a tie in India.

Wasim Akram bravely said he did not mind where the side played in the next round. ``Better perhaps we play in Pakistan but we will probably have less pressure on us in India.''

South Africa, meanwhile, stride on omnipotent. They took the gamble of replacing the in-form spinner Pat Symcox with Paul Adams, unknown to Pakistan, and the young player stood up to the pressure - and the barrage of unceasing noise from the 33,000 crowd. Adams collected the valuable wicket of Salim Malik, scooping up an attempted sweep with his penultimate ball.

It was no pitch for fast bowlers

It was no pitch for fast bowlers. Allan Donald had a considerable off day, going for 50 in eight overs, and Hansie Cronje, the South African captain, had most success with his medium-pace claiming two wickets in his opening over.

Aamer Sohail gave two chances to Steve Palframan behind the stumps, but was the cornerstone of Pakistan's innings, reaching his century before he was out in the 49th over, slicing Shaun Pollock high to point.

South Africa's batsmen attacked from the start, and with Wasim unusually wayward, it was left to Waqar Younis to present the only fast bowling threat, taking two wickets in three balls.

Gary Kirsten thumped Mushtaq Ahmed's first over for three boundaries but off-spinner Saqlain Mushtaq bowled Kirsten when the left- hander tried to paddle him round on off stump, then lured Jacques Kallis into an easy return catch in his next over.

But South Africa were 105 for two within 15 overs and Cronje was able to leave the attacking to Daryll Cullinan, then imperturbably take control himself and long before the end the galleries were silent as Pakistan supporters streamed away in droves.

Javed Miandad's absence caused almost as much consternation as this defeat among the Karachi populus. Wasim said he had strained his back: someone asked why he had been seen at a midnight rally and the captain exclaimed: ``Why do you worry about Javed so much? He has not been let down.''

Cronje however was relieved. ``He has destroyed us in the past. It obviously helped, him not being back.''

South Africa won by 5 wickets

Man-of-the-match: WJ Cronje