Pakistan put their miserable hammering by arch-rivals India behind them with a shock 19-run win over South Africa at Edgbaston on Tuesday that kept their Champions Trophy semi-final hopes alive.
Just three days after suffering a humiliating 124-run defeat by title-holders India, with former skipper Shahid Afridi among those slamming a "clueless" display, Pakistan's return saw them make a mockery of the rankings which had them bottom and South Africa top in this eight-team one-day global tournament. Miller remained unbeaten at 75 that came off 104 balls and included three sixes and a four.
Captain Sarfraz Ahmed insisted his team has the ability to recover from the opening drubbing.
"We took wickets. If you take wickets, every good team feels under pressure".
"It's very important to win man of the match because it's my first ICC event".
However, it will be an uphill task for Pakistan to dominate South Africa as being the lowest ranked team and a humiliating defeat at the hands of India must have shattered Pakistan's confidence.
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Pakistan then showed more steel to their batting, with Fakhar Zaman adding the early impetus on ODI debut before a 52-run stand between Babar Azam and Hafeez settled any nerves after the fall of two quick wickets. Junaid Khan and Imad Wasim took two wickets each. But we have to back ourselves to win, " he said.
The Pakistan vs South Africa live broadcast of the match will start at 06:00PM IST.
Rumman Raees has been named as Riaz's replacement in the squad, but Junaid Khan, the left-arm pace bowler, will be the one who takes the veteran's place in the playing XI. Led by young Kagiso Rabada and well complemented by seniors Morne Morkel and Wayne Parnell, South Africa have a strong attack.
They had that luxury on Wednesday, with everyone of their efforts drawing raucous reaction in Birmingham, and Sarfraz admitted it did not go unnoticed. After bowling a short ball, Morkel deceived Zaman with an off-cutter, and the batsman edged it to the slip.
Morkel had Hafeez caught in the deep for a third wicket but by then Pakistan had accelerated the run rate and gone ahead of South Africa on the Duckworth/Lewis method.
With the Pakistan fans already in fine voice, Hasan helped increase the volume inside Edgbaston when he bowled Du Plessis (26) in his first over.
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