Pakistan can't be written off, says cricket star Afridi

London:  Former cricket all-rounder Shahid Afridi said it would be a mistake to write off Pakistan after they proved they remain arguably the most unpredictable team in international cricket by trumping South Africa.
Three days after being steamrolled by arch-rivals India, Sarfraz Khan and his team mates upset South Africa in a rain-hit match on Wednesday to revive their Group B campaign in Birmingham.
Consistency has never been their strong point but Afridi, who featured in Pakistan's five Champions Trophy campaigns, said the win has the potential to transform the young side.
"It is heartening to see Pakistan play the way it did and I hope it continues its good work and brings smiles on the faces of our passionate cricket fans," Afridi wrote in a column for cricket governing body website www.icc-cricket.com.
"I also feel that Pakistan shouldn’t be ruled out of title contention anymore. The win today can make this side do some amazing things in the tournament. Once again write Pakistan off at your own peril," he added.
Paceman Hasan Ali led Pakistan's improved bowling performance against South Africa, claiming 3-24 to help restrict the Proteas to 219-8 in 50 overs.
Pakistan were 119-3 in 27 overs, 19 runs ahead under the Duckworth-Lewis method - which governs such weather-hit contests - when rain intervened to give them their first win in the tournament.
Afridi was particularly impressed with 23-year-old Hasan Ali, who walked away with the man-of-the-match award.
"I don't recall Pakistan fast bowlers delivering match-winning performances in recent years, hence Hasan’s three-wicket spell made me really happy.
"He is a mature bowler for his age, has decent pace and the ability of seaming the ball while he can also make the old ball reverse with impeccable control."
Pakistan conclude their Group B campaign against Sri Lanka in Cardiff on Monday.
Meanwhile Pakistan captain Sarfraz Ahmed said playing in front of a 'home' crowd had helped inspire his side to a shock 19-run win over South Africa in the Champions Trophy at Edgbaston on Wednesday.
Pakistan fans dominated a crowd of more than 16,000, giving it the air of a home game for Sarfraz's men in Birmingham, a city with one of the largest Asian populations in Britain.
"That is a feeling we miss, not playing in Pakistan," said Sarfraz. "Maybe that was a difference, the crowd was supporting us and that's why the players were boosted."
Pakistan have had to play most of their matches overseas since a 2009 terror attack on the Sri Lankan team bus in Lahore.
But chants of "Pakistan Zindabad!" ("Long live Pakistan!") rang round Edgbaston which was turned into a sea of green.
"I think the difference was our bowling and fielding," said wicketkeeper-captain Sarfraz.
"Mohammad Hafeez and Imad Wasim bowled really well and they took the pressure off for us," he said.
"We had a good bowling meeting (on Tuesday)," added Sarfraz, who saw his attack rebound after India struck 72 from the final four overs of their innings on Sunday.
"We took wickets. If you take wickets, every good team feels under pressure."
Pakistan also improved with the bat after slumping to 164 all out against India.
Debutant Fakhar Zaman helped get their chase off to a brisk start.
They lost two wickets but Babar Azam (31 not out) and Shoaib Malik (16 not out) took Pakistan to 119 for three off 27, enough for victory by 19 runs on the Duckworth-Lewis method when rain ended the match.
Sarfraz praised the way backroom staff led by South African coach Mickey Arthur had helped restore the side's self-belief.
"They backed us after the defeat, they supported us very well, so that's why we played a good game."
A feature of Pakistan's performance against the Proteas was their vastly improved fielding, after a shambolic display against India.
Sarfraz drew laughter from reporters when he admitted the improvement couldn't be down to practice.
"I think actually we do no fielding at all," he said. "We had rain the other day, so actually we do nothing."
The result throws Group B wide open and gives Pakistan a chance of qualifying for the semi-finals when they face Sri Lanka in their final match on Monday.