SA score thumping win

Earlier Pakistan collapsed to 145 all out in 41.5 overs. Opening bowler Steve Elworthy, playing on his home ground, took three for 28 and fellow new-ball bowler Lance Klusener took two for 27.

The results ensured that South Africa with four wins in five matches will play in the final at Newlands, Cape Town on April 22.

Pakistan and Sri lanka are level on two wins each. Sri Lanka will reach the final if they beat South Africa in their last round-robin match at Bloemfontein on Sunday. Pakistan will be in the final if Sri Lanka lose because they had won two of the three meetings aginst the islanders Pakistan were under pressure from the fourth over when Saeed Anwar was well caught by Jonty Rhodes at backward point as he cut Klusener powerfully.

Therewere three run-outs, two from direct hits, as Pakistan failed to take advantage of winning the toss and batting on what looked an excellent pitch for batsmen.

Inzamam-ul Haq top-scored with 33.

SCOREBOARD

Pakistan:
Saeed Anwar c Rhodes b Klusener 3, Azhar Mahmood c Cullinan b Klusener 20, Mohammad Wasim c Crookes b Donald 18, Ijaz Ahmed b Elworthy 2, Inzamam-ul Haq run out 33, Moin Khan c Cronje b Elworthy 25, Wasim Akram b Rindel 12, Mohammad Hussain run out 14, Rashid Latif not out 6, Abdul Razzak b Elworthy 0, Mushtaq Ahmed run out 0; Extras (b2, lb4, w5, nb1): 12. Total (all out in 45.1 overs): 145

Fall of wickets:
1-10, 2-25, 3-31, 4-57, 5-95, 6-114, 7-135, 8-142, 9-142.

Bowling:
Elworthy 9-1-28-3, Klusener 7.5-0-27-2, Cronje 6-0-18-0, Donald 8-0-22-1, Rindel 7-0-23-1, Crookes 4-0-21-0.

South Africa:
Mike Rindel c Latif b Akram 0, Gary Kirsten b Mahmood 35, Jacques Kallis not out 79, Darryl Cullinan c Mahmood b Hussain 14, Hansie Cronje notout 7; Extras (b4, lb5, nb3, w2): 14. Total (for three wickets in 35.3 overs): 149

Fall of wickets:
1-1, 2-65, 3-116

Bowling:
Akram 8-0-26-1 (nb2, w1), Hussain 10-1-51-1, Mahmood 5-1-19-1, Ahmed 10-0-31-0 (w1), Razzak 2.3-0-13-0 (nb1)

Result: South Africa won by seven wickets.