/https%3A%2F%2Fsportsmole-media-prod.s3.gra.io.cloud.ovh.net%2F13%2F11%2Fsouth-africa-pakistan.jpg "South Africa vs. Pakistan - as it happened")
South Africa and Pakistan met at Edgbaston in a crucial Champions Trophy clash as both sides looked to record their first victory in Group B.
The Proteas elected to bat first in the morning but an impressive start created by Hashim Amla's 81 was soon ruined as regular wickets meant that they could only post a total of 234 from their 50 overs.
Pakistan struggled to score at the required rate in the early stages of their reply and never looked in control as South Africa's bowling attack impressed without the injured Morne Morkel and Dale Steyn.
Misbah-ul-Haq gave his side some hope with 55 runs but Pakistan were eventually dismissed for 167, with Ryan McLaren claiming figures of 4-19 from eight overs.
Read below to find out how South Africa secured their first win of the tournament.
8.32pmThis tournament continues to surprise us as each game passes. Pakistan are on the brink of exiting the tournament while South Africa have proved their doubters wrong with a convincing win at Edgbaston. Thanks for joining me today, goodnight.
8.31pmIndia take on the West Indies in Group B tomorrow and that game will have big implications for de Villiers and his side. South Africa face the Windies on Friday.
8.29pmSouth Africa will take huge confidence from this victory. They had to win today and if they can get Steyn back to full fitness there's no reason they cannot go far in this tournament now.
8.28pmAt the halfway stage Pakistan were favourites but their lack of urgency in reply was the main reason for this disappointing defeat. Misbah once again stood out for his side with 55 but it looks like Pakistan will be heading out of the tournament at the group stage.
PAK 167SOUTH AFRICA WIN BY 67 RUNS: It's all over at Edgbaston when McLaren knocks back Khan's off-stump with a full delivery. The all-rounder has four wickets but more importantly he's confirmed the win for his side.
PAK 167WICKET! KHAN (4) B McLAREN
PAK 167-9Khan is on strike at the moment for Pakistan as the batsmen crossed when Ajmal was caught. Good yorker from McLaren to keep the dot balls coming.
PAK 167-9McLaren takes his third wicket on his return to the attack as Ajmal miscues a pull shot into the grateful hands of Ingram on the leg-side. Irfan in next, I'm guessing he won't have 68 quick runs in his locker.
PAK 167-9WICKET! AJMAL (5) C INGRAM B McLAREN
PAK 167-8Tsotsobe's first ball of a new over is cut through point for two by Khan. The bowler is close to taking another wicket when an edge sails just wide of Duminy, who's fielding at gully. Khan skips down the pitch later in the over but he makes no contact with a heave across the line. Two singles are taken and it's four from Tsotsobe's over.
PAK 163-8Khan nudges a single from his second ball to get off the mark and keep the strike but he'll know his team are heading for defeat now.
PAK 162-8Pakistan fans had just started to get their hopes up again following those boundaries but it's Riaz's turn to head back inside now. An attempted reverse sweep goes horribly wrong and the batsman is bowled.
PAK 162-8WICKET! RIAZ (13) B PHANGISO
PAK 162-7Phangiso is back into the attack for the Proteas. Big mistake from Tsotsobe, who's in close at fine-leg as he lets Riaz's sweep shot creep past him and to the boundary rope. Riaz hits Pakistan's third four in a row with a powerful sweep shot over square-leg. A thick edge travels quickly to third-man to give Riaz two more.
PAK 152-7Ajmal is the new batsman for Pakistan. After two misses outside off-stump, Ajmal eventually makes contact with the ball to earn four through extra cover. Great shot but surely it's too little, too late.
PAK 148-7Misbah leaves the field and he now knows his side could be on the brink of exiting the competition. The skipper attempts to smack the ball to the mid-wicket boundary but can only pick out Amla, who takes a good catch in the circle.
PAK 148-7WICKET! MISBAH (55) C AMLA B TSOTSOBE
PAK 148-6Tsotsobe has been brilliant for South Africa today and he's back into the attack with nine overs left. Riaz drives at the first ball but can only edge it to short third-man. The batsman hands the strike to his captain with a push to long-on.
PAK 147-6Misbah flicks the ball pad but looks uncertain about taking a single. He eventually begins the run but the throw is at the wrong end and both batsmen are safe. Riaz sweeps the ball through mid-wicket for two before hurrying a single behind square on the leg-side. Misbah cuts the ball through point for two but Pakistan need boundaries at this stage.
PAK 141-6FIFTY for Misbah when the skipper clears the rope down the ground with a fantastic shot from the first ball of Peterson's new spell. Du Plessis almost runs out Misbah but the throw is too wide for de Villiers to be able to take off the bails. A single is eventually taken to bring Riaz on strike but he can only block out the final three balls.
PAK 134-6Surely it's all over now as McLaren takes his second wicket in the over. Akmal knows he must attack but his powerful cut shot is superbly caught at backward point by du Plessis. Brilliant from Pakistan.
PAK 134-6WICKET! AKMAL (0) C DU PLESSIS B McLAREN
PAK 134-5Great response to the wicket by Misbah, who clips a straight ball off the pads for four behind square. A push behind point allows Pakistan to sneak a quick single.
PAK 129-5Could this be the wicket that ends Pakistan's challenge? Amin eyes a big shot down the ground but the length isn't right for the shot and he can only hit the ball high into the sky. Ingram takes the easy catch when the ball does come back down. Akmal's turn with the bat.
PAK 129-5WICKET! AMIN (16) C INGRAM B McLAREN
PAK 129-4Misbah advances down the pitch but he just gets a single with a flick into the leg-side.
PAK 128-4Misbah nudges a single away to hand the strike to Amin. The left-handed batsman must chip in with some big runs and shows good intent with a club down the ground for four. A pull shot to deep mid-wicket only brings a single and Misbah adds one more with a push to cover.
PAK 121-4Pakistan need 114 runs to win from 13 overs.
PAK 121-4Amin opens the face to guide the ball to third man for a single at the start of McLaren's new over. Misbah tries to attack by sitting deep in his crease but the bowler still manages to deliver a dot ball. A chip into the leg-side brings Misbah a couple thanks to some good running. One more single is taken down the ground before McLaren ends the over with a good yorker.
PAK 117-4Morris is back into the attack and he immediately finds some good pace. The seamer loses his line a ball later though and a deflection off the pad races past de Villiers for four leg-byes. Big risk taken by Amin, who would have been out by a long way had Duminy hit the stumps following a call from Misbah for a quick single. Misbah decides it's finally time to attack as he lofts Morris over long-on for four.
PAK 108-4Misbah elects to take the batting powerplay just one over before it would have been forced on Pakistan. De Villiers responds by bringing McLaren back into the attack. Misbah does his best to put the bowler off his length but the bowler is tight with his line as he delivers three dot balls in a row. The batsman then guides a single to third man to give the strike to Amin. There's only a single on offer for Amin though and, painfully for Pakistan supporters, it's just two from the over.
PAK 106-4Much better running from Pakistan. Amin sneaks a single before Misbah hurries two behind square on the leg-side. Misbah adds another with a push to long-on. Amin misses out with the cut shot when Duminy sends down a half-tracker. Pakistan need 129 more runs.
PAK 102-4Misbah looks certain to reach the boundary when he heaves a shorter ball over mid-wicket but Duminy does brilliantly in the deep to restrict the Pakistan skipper to two. 100 is up, finally. Misbah once again picks out the fielder with a reverse sweep. A single for each batsman from the final two balls means it's four from Phangiso's over.
PAK 98-4Duminy refuses to give the current duo any freedom in his over. Two singles down the ground are followed by a nudge through square-leg for one by Misbah. The required run-rate is now up to 7.61, Pakistan need to make a move.
PAK 95-4Difficult chance missed by de Villiers when a big edge from Amin strikes the skipper's thigh behind the stumps. It's another very tight over from Phangiso and Pakistan can only find two singles. Misbah will surely be thinking his side must get a move on soon if they are to get anywhere near 235.
PAK 93-4Duminy returns to the attack and is immediately tucked away for a single by Misbah. Amin guides another to third man before Misbah reverse sweeps straight to to Tsotsobe at short third man.
PAK 91-4Misbah gets off strike early in the over with a push into the off-side. Phangiso is left frustrated when he catches Amin's outside edge and the ball races to third man for three runs. Misbah drives another single through the covers from the final delivery over.
PAK 86-4Umar Amin is the new batsman and he's not offered much freedom on his arrival at the crease and must defend. Great over from Tsotsobe.
PAK 86-4Jamshed starts the over by clipping two through mid-wicket but he departs shortly after when he offers Tsotsobe the chance to take a simple return catch. The ball seemed to stick in the pitch slightly but it's a poor shot. Massive wicket.
PAK 86-4WICKET! JAMSHED (42) C&B TSOTSOBE
PAK 84-3Phangiso is back into the attack for a new spell. De Villiers does well to react to the reverse sweep and block Misbah's passage to third man. Phangiso finds some big turn but a bit of extra bounce means his optimistic lbw appeal is quickly rejected. Misbah pushes a single through cover before the bowler is punished for a leg-side wide. Jamshed nudges another run through square-leg from the final ball.
PAK 81-3De Villiers knows how important the next wicket will be and he decides it's time to bring back Tsotsobe. Pakistan rotate the strike well early in the over to pick up three singles. Misbah pulls a shorter ball through mid-wicket for two more. The captain cuts another run through the off-side and he'll keep the strike.
PAK 75-3Jamshed drops to one knee to sweep Peterson through square-leg for a single. Misbah pushes the ball through mid-wicket but he's quick to reject Jamshed's call for a second. Jamshed adds one more from the final delivery and he'll keep the strike.
PAK 72-3Duminy looks set to bowl another tight over, conceding just two before Misbah sweeps powerfully in front of square on the leg-side for four runs. Brilliant shot from Pakistan's inspirational skipper.
PAK 66-3Peterson is quick to complete his over, conceding four singles from the six balls. How long will Pakistan continue at this rate? If a couple more wickets fall then they could be in big trouble.
PAK 62-3Jamshed relieves some pressure when he crunches a shorter ball through mid-wicket for four welcome runs. Duminy responds with three dot balls in a row but another shorter delivery allows Jamshed to pick up a single to long-on. Misbah then sweeps a full toss to fine-leg for two. Much better over for Pakistan.
PAK 55-3Peterson is on for the first time as de Villiers goes for spin from both ends. Jamshed and Misbah trade singles in the early stages of the over. Peterson is intent on bowling straight to both players. Jamshed nearly gets out in horrible fashion when he chips a full toss just wide of Peterson's hand. Three from the over. The required rate is now over six.
PAK 52-3An inside edge from Jamshed sails into the air on the leg-side but there's no fielder in place and Pakistan collect a single to reach 50 in the 20th over of the innings. Misbah nudges one through point and Jamshed adds another to deep mid-wicket to make it three from the over. Careful stuff from Pakistan but they can't stay too defensive for too long.
PAK 49-3Good move from de Villiers to bring back the impressive Morris. The seamer is once again accurate with both his line and length. Jamshed finds a single to fine-leg. South Africa appeal for lbw when Misbah shuffles across his crease but it's too high for the umpire to raise his finger. Just one run in the over.
PAK 48-3Misbah comes in and enjoys a bit of luck when he plays the ball against his pad and away from the stumps. Pakistan need another big performance from their skipper. Great start for Duminy.
PAK 48-3Malik departs but it's awful luck for Pakistan's number three. The batsman blocks but the ball spins back off the pitch before rolling onto the stumps and knocking one bail off. Duminy has his first wicket, Misbah in next.
PAK 48-3WICKET! MALIK (8) B DUMINY
PAK 48-2De Villiers turns to spin again but it's not Peterson yet. Duminy is given the ball and Pakistan may target the slower bowler, who should enjoy the challenge. His length is too short early in the over and Jamshed is able to cruise a single to long-on.
PAK 47-2Very impressive start from South Africa but they'll know that they need to take wickets at regular intervals to win this match. Pakistan have looked nervous but Malik and Jamshed are beginning to relax at the crease.
PAK 47-2Jamshed is keen to use his feet against Phangiso but he struggles when the spinner finds some quick turn and bounce. A mistake from Duminy at square-leg allows the batsman to pick up a single. Malik punches the ball down the ground for another run before Jamshed lofts a fuller delivery over mid-off for four beautiful runs. One more single and it's seven from the over. Time for a drinks break.
PAK 40-2McLaren is too straight at the start of the over and Malik helps himself to a single behind square on the leg-side. Jamshed is struck on the thigh but takes the opportunity to collect a leg-bye for his team. Malik picks up two more towards the end of the over but it's another decent one from McLaren.
PAK 36-2Great lengths from Phangiso early in the over to force Malik back in his crease before bringing him forward to defend. Malik responds by skipping down the pitch but he strikes his partner with an attempted loft down the ground. Just a single through point from the over.
PAK 35-2McLaren's run of 13 dot balls in a row comes to an end when Pakistan cruise a leg-bye through square-leg. Jamshed then takes advantage of a shorter ball to pull the ball behind square for a rare boundary. Five off the over.
PAK 30-2Phangiso finds a bit of turn early in the over but Jamshed does well to read the spin. Pakistan hurry two quick singles midway through the over. The spinner loses his line again and is punished for a wide but it's a far better over than his first.
PAK 27-2McLaren moves the ball away to leave Malik stretching to make contact outside off-stump. The batsman then wisely leaves a similar delivery. McLaren nips one back into the batsman, who is fortunate to get an inside edge on the ball. Malik has no choice but to block out a maiden.
PAK 27-2Jamshed delights the Pakistan supporters by breaking the run of dot balls with a single on the leg-side. Malik rocks back to cut a quicker ball for another run. Phangiso strays down the leg-side and the ball races away to the rope for five wides. Jamshed pushes the ball to mid-on for one before Malik ends the over by cutting once again for a single.
PAK 18-2Phangiso is set to come into the attack for the first time. Will Pakistan look to accelerate against the spinner?
PAK 18-2Morris is given a break as de Villiers turns to McLaren. The all-rounder continues the good work with a tight line. Malik flirts with one just outside off-stump and is agonisingly close to edging the ball behind. It's a second successive maiden. 18 runs and two wickets from the first powerplay.
PAK 18-2Tsotsobe finds a great length to Jamshed, who would ideally like to cut and pull to find his runs. McLaren does well at mid-off to stop a well struck drive. It's a maiden over though and Pakistan just haven't started yet.
PAK 18-2Malik is wise to leave his first ball just outside off-stump. What a start to ODI cricket from Morris. Why was he not named in the original squad?
PAK 18-2Pakistan in trouble now as Morris takes his second wicket on debut. Hafeez attempts to pull a bouncer but completely mistimes his shot to offer Miller an easy catch at square-leg. Malik in next.
PAK 18-2WICKET! HAFEEZ (5) C MILLER B MORRIS
PAK 18-1Morris starts the over by straying onto the pads and Jamshed takes advantage by recording Pakistan's first boundary just in front of square on the leg-side. Jamshed gets off strike by nudging the fourth ball of the over through square-leg for a single.
PAK 13-1Jamshed is offered some width midway through the over but he can only collect a single when Duminy fumbles the ball on the off-side. Hafeez is tempted to cut and is fortunate not to edge the ball to de Villiers. Great control from Tsotsobe, one from the over.
PAK 12-1Morris is encouraging the drive with his fuller length and even when Hafeez does make good contact with the ball, du Plessis displays his ability with a good block at point. Hafeez pushes the ball through the covers for two to spoil a potential maiden over. Great pressure being applied by South Africa.
PAK 10-1Tsotsobe's line and length have been very good so far. Hafeez walks down the pitch but is still forced to defend against the seamer. A clip to fine-leg earns the batsman a single but that's the only blemish on the over.
PAK 9-1Morris is starting to display his class as he gets one to nip back and beat the inside edge before surprising Hafeez with a ball that goes the other way. Hafeez does well to earn two runs when he flicks the ball to fine-leg. Another nudge behind square on the leg-side brings a single. Three from the over.
PAK 6-1Jamshed is given a bit of freedom outside off-stump to cut the ball away for a single. Hafeez pushes through the off-side and picks up a single after a little bit of hesitation. Just two from a tidy Tsotsobe over.
PAK 4-1Hafeez is the new batsman and he blocks his first ball. Great start for the Proteas but they must keep the pressure on.
PAK 4-1Superb fast bowling from Morris! Farhat is completely beaten on the outside edge by a beauty and Morris follows that delivery with one that sneaks through the defence to send the off-stump flying out the ground.
PAK 4-1WICKET! FARHAT (2) B MORRIS
PAK 4-0Morris, on debut, is given the duty of bowling the second over. The seamer is wayward early on and is punished for a leg-side wide. Morris is too straight again and Jamshed helps himself to a run to fine-leg.
PAK 2-0Very good start from Tstotsobe. The seamer finds some good bounce and a bit of movement in the air. Two runs from the over for Farhat through mid-wicket.
5.15pmBoth sides are back out on the pitch. Jamshed and and Farhat open the batting. De Villiers gives his side a long talk before play resumes. Tsotsobe is set to bowl the first over.
5.11pmWelcome back. Advantage Pakistan? Misbah's side are probably in control at this stage but that weak batting performance against the West Indies will still be fresh in their memories. 235 is certainly achievable for Pakistan but it's important they start their reply well.
4.48pmWe'll take a break for around 20 minutes. Come back then as Pakistan look for 235 runs to kick start their Champions Trophy campaign.
4.47pmPakistan need 235 runs to win this vital match but that won't be the easiest target to reach. South Africa need a big performance from their weakened bowling attack.
4.46pmAt one stage it looked like South Africa would be looking to reach 280 but an impressive fightback from Pakistan and a couple of sloppy run outs stalled the batting side's progress.
SA 234-9Peterson fails to make contact with the final delivery but South Africa still attempt to rush a single and Akmal responds by hitting the stumps to run out new arrival Phangiso. A superb final over from Riaz goes for just three runs.
SA 234-9WICKET! PHANGISO (0) RUN OUT (AKMAL)
SA 234-8Morris is eager to be ready for a quick single but when Peterson hits the ball straight back to Riaz, the bowler is quick to turn and hit the stumps. Two balls left in the innings.
SA 234-8WICKET! MORRIS (1) RUN OUT (RIAZ)
SA 234-7Chris Morris, who replaced Morkel in the squad, is on strike at the start of the final over. Riaz pushes one across the batsman and a wild drive makes no contact with the ball. A push to long-off brings Peterson on strike and he does well to pull a short ball over mid-wicket for two.
SA 231-7Fantastic from Misbah in the field again. Miller attempts to loft the ball over cover but the Pakistan skipper manages to dive to his left to take a brilliant catch. A good over for South Africa ends disappointingly.
SA 231-7WICKET! MILLER (19) C MISBAH B KHAN
SA 231-6Khan returns to bowl the 49th over. Miller clips the first ball away for a single. Superb shot from Peterson, who picks the gap on the off-side to earn four. Khan's bouncer is too high and the umpires signal a wide. The bowler is then slightly off target with a yorker and Peterson meets the ball on the full to drive through extra cover for four. A single brings Miller on strike and he also reaches the rope with a thick edge through third man.
SA 216-6Riaz comes back into the attack and he does a good job for his captain early in the over by bowling two yorkers for the loss of just two runs. Akmal is forced into a brilliant take down the leg-side when Riaz loses his accuracy to deliver a wide-ball. Another full delivery squirms away to fine-leg for a single. Riaz pushes too hard a ball later and Miller is able to pull the full toss behind square for four, the first in 54 deliveries. Better from South Africa, eight from the over.
SA 208-6Miller skips down the pitch to chip a single to mid-on. Ajmal finds some good drift but Peterson is still able to guide the ball away from his stumps. The batsman knows he needs to find the boundary but he misses with a wild heave across the line. A loft over extra cover looks set to earn the batsman four but Khan does superbly in the deep to keep the ball from crossing the rope.
SA 205-6Peterson, who came in at number three against India, walks to the crease for the Proteas. He's immediately off the mark with two runs through cover. Three runs and a wicket from the over. Pakistan on top at the moment.
SA 203-6McLaren must go now and this South Africa innings is falling apart now. Malik hits the pad and gets the lbw decision. McLaren chooses to review and he's almost saved but Hawkeye shows the ball would have just clipped leg-stump.
SA 203-6WICKET! McLAREN (4) LBW B MALIK
SA 203-5Clever bowling from Malik to push Miller back with a quicker ball. The batsman is eager to use his feet but he struggles to work the ball away after advancing down the pitch. A shorter delivery is cut away for a single.
SA 202-5Misbah has managed his bowlers well today and he has the luxury of bringing Ajmal back into the attack with six overs left in the innings. The spinner strays onto the pads to allow South Africa to sneak a leg-bye. McLaren is nowhere near making contact when Ajmal gets one to go past the outside edge. Hafeez does well to block a reverse sweep but McLaren eventually picks the gap with a nudge through mid-wicket for two. Brilliant from Ajmal, just three from the over.
SA 199-5Good over from Malik to keep the pressure on the Proteas. Four singles are scored but the highlight of the over comes when Misbah once again shows his talent in the field with a brilliant block at cover.
SA 195-5Disaster for South Africa as they lose another wicket. Duminy is sent back to the non-striker's end by Miller but he stumbles as he slides the bat in and Misbah hits the target with a good throw. Ryan McLaren's turn to come in next.
SA 195-5WICKET! DUMINY (24) RUN OUT (MISBAH)
SA 195-4Miller nudges one to square-leg before Duminy guides the ball to the fielder at third man for another single. Two more singles are scored later in the over but South Africa are struggling to find the rope at a time when they need to be scoring freely.
SA 191-4Malik continues to keep things tight, conceding just four singles in the over. South Africa will want a score of around 250 from here.
SA 187-4Duminy ends the over by taking a single to fine-leg and he'll keep the strike. David Miller is the new batsman.
SA 186-4Comical end to a promising innings for the South African skipper. Duminy abandons a planned single and de Villiers can only slip in the middle of the pitch as he attempts to return to the non-striker's end. Easy run out but an important moment for Pakistan.
SA 186-4WICKET! DE VILLIERS (31) RUN OUT (MISBAH)
SA 186-3Riaz's spell doesn't last long and it's Khan who comes on to replace him. The South African pair once again rotate the strike well early in the over.
SA 183-310 overs left in the innings. South Africa have seven wickets in hand so they'll be able to attack a lot from here.
SA 183-3Duminy is eager to use his feet when facing Malik but he must be careful as he miscues a cut shot and is nearly bowled. A flick off the pad earns him a single, de Villiers pushes another down the ground and it;s two from another good Malik over.
SA 181-3Duminy guides the ball to third man for a single before the South African duo take a big risk to rush a single behind square on the off-side. Another one brings de Villiers on strike again and the skipper shows his class with a pull shot that splits two fielders on its way to the rope. Two more singles and it's nine from the over.
SA 172-3De Villiers continues to find singles and he adds another to his tally early in a new over. Duminy skips down the pitch to punch the ball straight but Malik does well to field off his own bowling and keep the batsman on strike. Singles are traded in the middle of the over and another is added from the final ball to make it four off the spinner.
SA 168-3Riaz is back into the attack and is immediately pushed for a single by de Villiers. Duminy lives dangerously when he plays and misses just outside off-stump with the ball somehow managing to miss the edge of the bat. De Villiers opens the face to guide a run to third man before Duminy drives another single through cover. One more to square-leg, five from the over.
SA 163-3Ajmal is beginning to look far more dangerous with the ball in hand now. Two singles are taken early in the over before de Villiers misses with an expansive cut shot. The Proteas skipper does find one more run to mid-wicket to keep the strike.
SA 160-3The current pair pick the gaps well in Malik's over to collect five singles. Misbah will be happy at the moment but he'll want to pick up some more wicket before the latter stages.
SA 155-3Ajmal finds some big turn at the start of a new over to beat the left-handed Duminy on the outside edge. The batsman relieves some pressure with four through cover. A nudge off the pad brings a single and de Villiers adds another late in the over.
SA 149-3Duminy is fortunate to get an inside edge on the ball when Malik sends down a quicker delivery. Four dot balls are followed by a quick single to square-leg. De Villiers plays an awkward sweep shot but he still manages to run two leg-byes when the ball deflects off the pad.
SA 146-3Amla will be very disappointed not to have reached his century. Typically impressive knock from him though and he's given his side a good platform.
SA 146-3Duminy is the batsman and he's immediately off the mark with a push to long-off. Just two runs and a wicket from the over. Brilliant from Ajmal at the start of the batting powerplay.
SA 145-3Big wicket for Pakistan. Amla goes for the reverse sweep again but can only glove the ball into the air and Hafeez does a brilliant job of taking a diving catch at short third man. Ajmal makes a crucial breakthrough and it's time for a drinks break.
SA 145-3WICKET! AMLA (81) C HAFEEZ B AJMAL
SA 145-2Ajmal is flicked off the pad for a single by De Villiers at the start of a new over. There's a big appeal for lbw when Amla is struck on the pad but Billy Bowden shakes his head again. Ajmal would like a review but Misbah decides against it and it's a wise decision from the skipper.
SA 144-2It's Malik's turn to have a bowl now as the part-time spinner comes into the attack. He immediately finds some big turn but Amla does well to read the spin and pick up a single to long-on. De Villiers sits back in his crease to earn another through the same area. Wow, huge shot out of nowhere from de Villiers. The skipper is given the strike again and he takes advantage of a short ball to launch a big six over mid-wicket.
SA 134-2Ajmal hasn't had much joy so far but he varies his pace throughout a new over to cause Amla a few more problems. Just two singles scored. Ajmal has bowled five overs.
SA 132-2The pressure is still on Pakistan as AB de Villiers comes to the crease. Good work from de Villiers, who is very quick, as he picks up a single on the leg-side. Amla whips the ball to deep mid-wicket and South Africa pick up two more. Irfan's loses his accuracy and is punished when Amla cuts the chest-high full toss to third man for five including the no-ball. If Irfan bowls another one of those he'll be forced out of the attack. Amla then takes two to fine-leg, 10 runs from the over following that wicket.
SA 122-2Irfan starts a new over with a bouncer and du Plessis can;t resist playing the big shot. However, he executes the hook poorly and the ball loops off the toe of the bat and into Malik's hands on the off-side.
SA 122-2WICKET! du Plessis (28) C MALIK B IRFAN
SA 122-1Great shot from du Plessis, who drops to his knee to sweep Ajmal over square-leg for four runs. The same batsman steps away to guide the ball through point and he runs hard to earn two. Ajmal can't block a straighter shot and du Plessis sneaks another run. Amla nudges one through square-leg but du Plessis will keep the strike after Irfan restricts the batsman to a single with some good fielding at short fine-leg.
SA 113-1Misbah turns to Irfan as Pakistan look to break this partnership. Will du Plessis take on the extra bounce? Amla's on strike at the moment though and he picks up two to fine-leg. Irfan fires in a fierce bouncer and Amla does well to dodge the ball. The batsman then sneaks a single when a block squirms into the leg-side. Du Plessis collects one to cover and it's four from the over.
SA 109-1Du Plessis is forced into a quick sprint when he calls for a single to mid-off. The throw misses but the batsman had made his ground. Amla once again attempts the reverse sweep but misses the pre-meditated shot. A nudge through mid-wicket brings two before another reverse sweep lobs into the air on the leg-side for a single.
SA 105-1South Africa have not been given any loose deliveries from Hafeez. Three singles are taken and du Plessis is forced to use his feet to power the ball wide of mid-on for a rare boundary off the spinner. Good cricket from the Proteas to find nine in the over.
SA 96-1Amla plays a reverse sweep early in Ajmal's over but some brilliant fielding from Khan means the batsman can only pick up two. Two more runs are pushed down the ground before Amla reverse sweeps once again but for four this time. One more and it's nine from the over.
SA 87-1Du Plessis backs away twice early in Hafeez's over but he's very fortunate not to be bowled when he misses an attempted big shot over cover. A chip down the ground brings a single for the batsman. Amla adds another to the same area of the field. Good over from Hafeez.
SA 85-1Ajmal is into the attack for the first time and he's immediately appealing for lbw when du Plessis miscues a sweep shot. Not out. A leg-bye gives the strike to Amla, who plays and misses outside off-stump. Amla reaches FIFTY with a nudge through the leg-side for two. Good innings so far and you wouldn't be against him going on for a while yet.
SA 82-1Amla forces Riaz into a long chase when he cuts into a vacant area on the off-side to pick up three runs. Du Plessis seems happy to play a supporting role at the moment as he nudges a single to long-on. Amla's wait for fifty will have to go on for a bit longer. Four from the over.
SA 78-1A single gives the strike to Amla, who powers a cut shot behind point for four off a wider Riaz delivery. Amla then drives through cover for one and he'll keep the strike. Du Plessis has 10, while Amla has moved effortlessly to 46.
SA 72-1Hafeez continues to bowl with very good control and his tight line ensures the 19th over is taken for only four singles. Difficult to see what's a good score on this pitch but South Africa will fancy a late attack if they keep wickets in hand.
SA 68-1Riaz pushes a couple wider past du Plessis early in the over. Both batsmen then push a single each through cover. Amla takes a risk when he calls for a quick single to mid-off but he's quick enough to make his ground. Four in total from the over.
SA 64-1Du Plessis takes a single from the first ball after the break before Amla reaches the rope in fortunate fashion when he edges the ball to third man. Important that South Africa continue to make progress following that wicket.
SA 59-1Amla gets off strike at the start of a new Ruaz over. Du Plessis will look for quick singles and he finds one through point. The new batsman is given the strike again later in the over and is beaten by a beauty that just nips past the outside edge. Du Plessis adds another to cover, four from the over. Time for a drinks break.
SA 55-1Du Plessis is the new batsman despite coming in at six against India. He gets off the mark with two through mid-wicket before blocking out the remainder of the over.
SA 53-1Hafeez has a brilliant record against left-handed batsmen and it's the spinner who makes a crucial breakthrough. Ingram misses with an attempted sweep shot and it's an easy lbw decision for the umpire. South Africa were starting to look comfortable but that wicket has come at an important time for Pakistan.
SA 53-1WICKET! INGRAM (20) LBW B HAFEEZ
SA 52-0Amla drives very powerfully but he can't pick the gap either side of the fielder at cover. Riaz continues to bowl at very good pace and clearly believes that a full length is the right tactic against Amla. However, Amla relieves some pressure following four dot balls with a brilliant late cut for four. He'll keep the strike too, thanks to a single on the leg-side.
SA 47-0Good cricket from South Africa as they take a single from each of Hafeez's first four balls in the over. The spinner keeps his control though and responds with two dot balls.
SA 43-0It's a double change as Wahab Riaz comes on for his first spell of the match. He almost has a wicket immediately when Amla is close to dragging onto his own stumps but the ball instead races to the fine-leg rope for four. Riaz encourages another wild drive later in the over but there's no edge through to Akmal. A miscued shot brings Amla a single to mid-on. Ingram pushes one into the leg-side for another run, six from the over.
SA 37-0Misbah decides it's time for spin but it's Hafeez, not Ajmal, who comes into the attack. Amla nudges the first ball of the over past the bowler for a single. Hafeez finds a good length to Ingram and almost forces a mistake when the batsman skips down the crease to prod the ball into the air for a moment. Just a single from the spinner's over.
SA 36-0Khan continues and begins the tenth over with a couple of good balls just back of a length. Could be time to have a look at spin soon and Misbah may tempted to give Ajmal an early bowl. Ingram stays deep in his crease to nudge a single to mid-wicket. Khan delivers a wide before Amla hurries a quick run. Ingram ends the powerplay in style with a club down the ground for four.
SA 29-0Impressive bowling from Irfan, who continues to challenge Ingram's technique against the short ball. South Africa's opener is showing some character but he can onlyly pick up a single in the over.
SA 28-0Ingram punches Khan's first ball of the over through the covers for a single. Trademark Amla a few balls later as he sits in his crease to whip four through mid-wicket. Amla repeats the trick through the leg-side to reach the rope for the second time in the over. Brilliant batting.
SA 19-0Irfan persists with a shorter line and, following a couple of leaves, Amla eventually has a wild swing at the ball. The bowler appeals for caught behind but there's no edge involved. Amla drills a cut shot towards point but Amin does well to block the passage to the boundary. Maiden over, great work from Irfan.
SA 19-0Khan showing great control as he hits the same area three times in a row at the beginning of the over. Ingram blocks well before finally being given some freedom to pull a shorter ball away for four runs. Khan responds well though as he beats the inside edge with one that nips back.
SA 15-0Great shot from Amla, who stands tall to cut Irfan through the off-side for four runs. Big chance wasted for Pakistan just moments later when Amla cuts the ball through the air but Amin puts it down at backward point. Will Pakistan regret that later? Six runs scored in the over.
SA 9-0Khan pleads with Billy Bowden to raise his finger when he strikes Ingram on the pad but the batsman did get an inside edge on the ball so he survives. A leg-bye hands the strike to Amla, who finds a quick single with a push wide of mid-on. Khan hits the shoulder of Ingram's bat late in the over but the batsman plays the shot with soft hands to stay safe.
SA 7-0Great delivery from Irfan as he brings a sharply bouncing ball back into the ribs of Amla, who is lucky not to glove it to a fielder. The batsman deals with the bounce far better just two balls later to pick up a single behind point. Ingram clips a fuller delivery through square-leg to collect three and he'll keep the strike.
SA 3-0Junaid Khan is thrown the ball to begin the second over. Amla defends well at first but is then invited to flirt with one outside off-stump. No edge, luckily for the opener. An open-faced shot brings a single to third man. Ingram defends the final two balls and it's a good start for Khan.
SA 2-0Ingram knows Irfan will get extra bounce and he leaves well early in the over. The bowler then goes very full but it's an easy block for Ingram. Irfan's pace increases but Ingram does well to nudge two past the fielder at short-leg from the final ball.
1.01pmHere we go then. Amla opens the batting with Ingram for South Africa. The giant Irfan will bowl the first over.
12.57pmJust the national anthems left before this game can get underway. Great noise inside the ground today. Yesterday's match between New Zealand and Sri Lanka was a classic, is it too much to ask for the same again?
12.53pmIt's a sell-out at Edgbaston today and the crowd will be dominated by Pakistan supporters. There's so much on the line, we could be set for a thriller.
12.50pmIt's South Africa who bat first though and with Amla at the top of the order they will always be confident. Pakistan's bowling attack is impressive and the way the Proteas deal with the pace bowlers could be crucial.
12.47pmMisbah-ul-Haq stood out for Pakistan in the loss to the West Indies. Without their skipper, the defeat could have been very embarrassing. He needs more help today when they do bat if Pakistan are to claim the win.
12.41pmDale Steyn continues to watch from the sidelines for South Africa. The bowling attack just doesn't contain the same threat without him. Steyn has been doing some work at Edgbaston this morning but he's clearly not fully fit just yet.
12.38pmSpinner Aaron Phangiso and Chris Morris, who was forced to fly in from South Africa, come in for the Proteas as Morne Morkel and Rory Kleinveldt miss out.
12.37pmPAKISTAN: Jamshed, Farhat, Hafeez, Malik, Misbah, Amin, Akmal, Riaz, Ajmal, Khan, Irfan
12.36pmSOUTH AFRICA: Amla, Ingram, Du Plessis, De Villiers, Duminy, Miller, McLaren, Peterson, Morris, Phangiso, Tsotsobe
12.35pmIt's quite simple. The team that loses today will be on the brink of crashing out of the competition. Pakistan's batting was poor on Friday, South Africa's bowling was even worse on Thursday. Both need to improve at Edgbaston.
12.33pmBREAKING NEWS: South Africa win the toss and will bat first.
12.30pmGood afternoon everyone. It's the first must win match of the tournament. South Africa and Pakistan were both disappointing as they lost their respective opening matches but neither side can afford not to be at their best today. It promises to be another tense day in the Champions Trophy and I'll be here to describe the drama as it unfolds.
/https%3A%2F%2Fsportsmole-media-prod.s3.gra.io.cloud.ovh.net%2F12%2F09%2F100x120_callum.jpg)
Pakistan
/https%3A%2F%2Fsportsmole-media-prod.s3.gra.io.cloud.ovh.net%2F25%2F05%2Fsteven-smith.jpg)
/https%3A%2F%2Fsportsmole-media-prod.s3.gra.io.cloud.ovh.net%2F24%2F43%2Fpakistan.jpg)
/https%3A%2F%2Fsportsmole-media-prod.s3.gra.io.cloud.ovh.net%2F24%2F42%2Fpakistan.jpg)
/https%3A%2F%2Fsportsmole-media-prod.s3.gra.io.cloud.ovh.net%2Fuploads%2F2025%2F11%2Fstokes-1-690694aa79b06297685297.jpg)
/https%3A%2F%2Fsportsmole-media-prod.s3.gra.io.cloud.ovh.net%2Fuploads%2F2025%2F07%2Fimago1064533006-6889f0b32d896043262124.jpg)
/https%3A%2F%2Fsportsmole-media-prod.s3.gra.io.cloud.ovh.net%2Fuploads%2F2025%2F11%2Fimago1069426574-6921890c1fa15979871066.jpg)
/https%3A%2F%2Fsportsmole-media-prod.s3.gra.io.cloud.ovh.net%2Fuploads%2F2025%2F11%2Fimago1069398963-69203b57b0924331078033.jpg)