Pakistan skipper Sarfaraz Ahmed was all praise for left-handed batsman Haris Sohail for the latter’s 89-run knock off just 59 balls which came at a crucial time during Pakistan’s match against South Africa. Riding on Sohail’s heroics, Pakistan won the match by a 49-run margin keeping their chances of a semi-final berth alive in their crucial World Cup fixture at the Lord’s on Sunday.

Sarfaraz even compared Haris Sohail’s flamboyant innings to that of England’s Jos Buttler.

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Included in the Pakistani team to fill in the shoes of experienced Shoaib Malik who is having a forgettable World Cup, Haris Sohail definitely was under scrutiny during Sunday’s match. But the 30-year-old proved his mettle with a brilliant knock of 89 and helped Pakistan post 308 for 7 in their stipulated quota of 50 overs.

In reply, none of the Proteas’ batmen, except skipper Faf du Plessis (63 off 79), could handle the pressure of chasing a tough total and could manage only 259 for 9 in 50 overs; 50 runs short of the target. The loss meant South Africa are now out of the race of making it to the semi-finals of the ongoing tournament.

“Haris Sohail put in a great performance. We changed the combination in this game. Couple of games earlier, we went with other combination. That’s the only thing. Sometimes change is good for the team. Today the way Haris batted, he is hungry to play in the game. He’s the main factor, the turning point, the way he batted in the last 15 overs, it was like Jos Buttler,” said Sarfaraz at the post-match presentation ceremony.

Haris, who was adjudged the Player of the Match, said he just backed his instincts during the course of his innings and it paid off.

“It’s tough when you’re sitting out and waiting for your turn. My goal was to make the most of my opportunities. When I went in, I was told I have to build a partnership with Babar (Azam), but it wasn’t easy out there… I just backed myself,” said the southpaw.

With five points from six games, Pakistan are now at the seventh spot in the points table. They face New Zealand next on Wednesday 26 June. After that, they play Afghanistan and Bangladesh on 29 June and 5 July, respectively.