This was the first ever ODI between the two sides. For the sixth time in the Benson & Hedges World Cup a game was adversely affected by rain. Pakistan, lucky against England, were the sufferers now. A heavy downpour drove the players from the field when Pakistan had scored 74 for two from 21.3 overs in reply to South Africa's 211 from the full 50. On resumption, Pakistan lost 14 overs from their innings while the target was reduced by just 18 runs, that soared the required run rate from 4.84 to 8.28 runs per over. Though Inzamam-ul-Haq and Imran Khan flung their bats to turn the inevitable but the fielding brilliance of Jonty Rhodes soon evaporated their chances. Imran joined the list of captains to criticize the playing conditions. But he lost some sympathy because of his decision to field first when most local forecasts and even the sky itself suggested there would be rain at some stage of the match. Wessels admitted the overs reduction had helped his side.
Earlier in the day, South Africa went into bat without their star batsman Peter Kirsten who had pulled a calf muscle. Skipper Kepler Wessels went early when he edged to wicketkeeper Moin Khan. Andrew Hudson and Mark Rushmere then proceeded to put South Africa in a strong position and had taken the score to 98 in the 26th over when Hudson after a stylish 54 played his first false shot and gave an easy catch to Ijaz at mid-wicket. He was the first of two victims for Imran, who had taken pain killers to minimize the shoulder injury. South Africa lost four wickets while adding only 29 runs in the space of 10 overs before Cronje and McMillans 71-run sixth wicket stand in 78 balls took them to their highest total in the tournament so far. The Pakistanis had more fielding panic. Inzamam dropped an important catch at deep mid wicket while Moin Khan gave another sort of headache to Aaqib Javed when the ball struck his forehead as the keeper lobbed it back to the bowler before he was ready. Aaqib received treatment for the blow and joined Javed Miandad, Ramiz Raja and Wasim Haider on the casualty list. Moreover, Wasim Akrams continuing problem of controlling the white ball brought his tally of wides to 27 in five matches.
Aamir Sohail and Zahid Fazal, assisted by Allan Donalds waywardness, survived to put a half-century opening stand before both fell at the same score. When play resumed after an hours delay, the ridiculous rain rule stretched Pakistans target to 193, representing South Africas most successful 36 overs. The need for quick runs compelled risks, and these costs wickets. Imran and Inzamam for some time took advantage of the damp ball and struck 85 at breakneck speed but both perished within three balls. Inzamam seeking a leg-bye, turned back to see Jonty Rhodes racing in from gully with the ball, in a fair impression of a low-flying Superman, launched himself with a dive to smash down all three stumps. It was a spectacular dismissal that turned the match decisively and the 8, 108 fans gave a huge applause to the champion fielder. Imran followed Inzamam after edging to keeper Richardson off McMillan. Another 58 runs from five overs proved too much for those who followed, and three of them perished in one eventful over from Kuiper. In the excitement, and having to cope with a wet ball, the normally superb South African fielders dropped two catches in the deep. But Rhodes, arguably the most exciting fielder in the tournament, made amends for one of them by racing backwards for 30 meters and tumbling over as he took the ball with outstretched hands to dismiss Ijaz Ahmed. When the last over was bowled Pakistan were still 20 runs short of the target. The win was South Africa's third from five matches and put them strongly in contention for a semifinal berth. Pakistan, with only three points from five games, faced an uphill struggle.
