Up first in Auckland, the South Africans must have been confident of continuing their good form in Pool B after Pakistan were dismissed for a seemingly well below par 222, with only captain Misbah-ul-Haq offering any sort of resistance with a dogged 56.

A rain delay reduced the match to 47 overs per side, with South Africa's total adjusted to 232.

With the team having scored 400 in each of their last two matches, that seemed a formality, and they started well at 67-1 in the early stages.

But wickets then began to fall and Pakistan's left arm trio of Wahab Riaz, Rahat Ali and Mohammad Irfan were soon reaping havoc, with only AB De Villiers, who scored the fastest ever one day international 150 earlier in the tournament, resisting with a 58 ball 77.

The trio of left-armers took three wickets apiece as South Africa were dismissed for 202 in the 34th over to slip to a 29 run defeat.

Pakistan and South Africa each now have three wins and two losses, and are both still well-placed to qualify from Pool B behind unbeaten group leaders India, with Ireland and West Indies battling for the final place.

Ireland held off Zimbabwe in Hobart in a clash which came down to the very last over ©AFP/Getty Images



After a shock win over West Indies was followed by a edgy victory over United Arab Emirates, Ireland continued their rapid rise up the international standings, beating another established Test cricket team today in Zimbabwe.

Top batsman Ed Joyce led the way 112, while Andy Balbirnie scored 97 in the European nation's highest ever ODI total of 331-8, which required their African opponents to muster the highest successful run chase in World Cup history. 

Led by a barnstorming 91 ball 121 from Brendan Taylor, Zimbabwe very nearly pulled it off, requiring just seven runs from the final over before losing their final two wickets and falling an agonising five runs short. 

They now have no chance of making the quarter-final, having won just once in five matches.

Two clashes in Pool A are scheduled for tomorrow, with each of the co-hosts in action as New Zealand face Afghanistan in Napier before Australia take on Sri Lanka in Sydney.