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Pakistan downed South Africa by 11 runs in the penultimate Group E ICC World Twenty20 match at the Beausejour Stadium, St. Lucia, on Monday to keep alive their hopes of defending their title, and bring to a premature end South Africa's quest for World Cup glory. Failure to beat Pakistan meant that the Proteas were consigned to the foot of the log and had no chance of proceeding any further in the tournament regardless of the result of the final Group E match between New Zealand and England. The Champs meanwhile would need Group winners England to do them a favour by knocking off the Kiwis.

Pakistan won the toss and decided to make use of a fresh St. Lucia pitch, a decision which backfired as they slumped to 19/3 at the end of the power play overs. Albie Morkel bowled the opening over in a change of tactics before the Proteas switched to the orthodox combination of Dale Steyn and Charl Langeveldt. The latter had an excellent match and deserved his return of 4/19 which included two ‘death' overs.

The mainstay of the Pakistan top order, Salman Butt (6), fell to the short ball from Dale Steyn in the second over, with newcomer Khalid Latif (7) and Mohammad Hafeez (1) the other early wickets to fall.

Pakistan regained the momentum when Smith switched to an all-spin attack with Roelof van der Merwe included as a second specialist spin bowler at the expense of Morne Morkel in the only change to the team that had played the two previous matches. Van der Merwe went for nearly 40 runs in his two overs and Botha had one of 9 in between as the Akmal brothers, Kamran and Umal, targeted the slower bowling.

When the elder Akmal departed for 37 from 33 balls caught by GIbbs off Van der Merwe, Shahid Afridi continued the onslaught while the younger Akmal raced to a half-century that earned him a well deserved man of the match award. The pair added 61 runs for the 6th wicket, with Afridi's contribution an excellent 30 from just 18 deliveries.

The Proteas conceded 92 runs in the period between the fifth and the 15th over and looked set to face an intimidating target. The seam bowlers though produced their best ‘death' bowling performance of the tournament, statistically at least, conceding only 38 runs in the last five overs to keep the target down to a very gettable 149.

As had been the case against England, however, the Proteas produced a very tentative batting performance in the top order and were always well behind the required rate. Gibbs, fell for just 3 from 9 balls, brilliantly caught at short midwicket off Abdul Razzaq to start the rot as early as the 3rd over. Graeme Smith (13), who appeared to be getting set for a big innings, attempted to pick up the pace too, and was caught at mid-on by his opposite number, trying to clear the infield.

South Africa snailed along to just 49 from the first 10 overs and with 100 needed from the last 10 had their backs to the wall. Their position got worse when they lost Jacques Kallis for a painstaking 22 in the 11th over. JP Duminy fell for 3 in the 13th over, and South Africa needed a miracle to keep their World T20 hopes alive.

There was brief hope when AB de Villiers hit the left-arm spinner, Abdur Rehman, for a four and two sixes in the 15th over to reach his half-century. The Proteas were still in the game going into the last five overs with just about 10 an over required, but the dismissal of De Villiers, attempting a ‘Dil scoop', virtually brought about the end.

Mark Boucher was sent in ahead of Albie Morkel, a poor decision, with the wicketkeeper taking 14 balls to compile 12 before falling leg before to Saeed Ajmal. South Africa got a late push from Johan Botha (19 from 8b) even as Morkel was robbed off the strike, and the Proteas needed 19 from the last over from Ajmal but in the end did not get close.

A delighted Pakistan side on the back of a match-winning spell of 4-26 from Ajmal went into a huddle in the hope that their World Cup dream would stay alive, while South Africa were left to rue another early failure in a major ICC Tournament.

"You can't go on making excuses," commented captain Graeme Smith afterwards in a clear indication that change is needed.

Gerald Majola, CSA CEO, said: "The early exit yet again by the Proteas from an ICC world tournament is a huge disappointment to say the least. Going into the ICC World Twenty20, the Proteas believed they had all the bases covered to get to the top regarding preparation, skills and support. The hardest pill to swallow now is that the squad was not marginally beaten on any of the finish lines, but faltered well short of their targets in the early stages.

In an indication of tough times ahead, Majola added, "We now await an explanation for this from the team and management."

Mini scorecard:

Pakistan 148/7 (20 overs,  7.4rpo)
U Akmal 51 (33)             C Langeveldt 4-19
K Akmal 37 (33)             D Steyn 1-26

South Africa 137/7 (20 overs, 6.85 rpo)
De Villiers 53 (41)          S Ajmal 4-26
J Kallis 22 (21)               A Rehman 2-35

Also Read: India vs. Sri Lanka Match Preview, Australia vs. West Indies Match Preview

File Photograph Copyright: ICC World T20

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