Pakistan pip Proteas in World Cup thriller

Pakistan have recorded the biggest upset in the 2015 Cricket World Cup, bowling out South Africa to win by 29 runs despite a heroic 77 by Proteas captain AB de Villiers.

Set a Duckworth-Lewis-adjusted target of 232 to win, South Africa got off to a flying start to be 1-67 after nine overs.

But Pakistan's hostile left-arm fast bowling attack roared back to life, reducing the Proteas to 6-107.

Rahat Ali, Wahab Riaz and towering quick Mohammed Irfan each claimed three wickets, providing re-called wicketkeeper Sarfraz Ahmed with a tournament record-equaling six catches behind the stumps.

But while de Villiers was at the crease, the match was in limbo and South Africa remained alive.

The 31-year-old entered at 3-67 on the back of two quick wickets, beginning cautiously before unleashing while wickets tumbled around him.

Five times the Proteas skipper cleared the boundary rope; one maximum raised his half-century from 45 balls, while another followed the next delivery.

The World's No.1 ODI ranked batsman became the joint fastest player to 1,000 World Cup runs, reaching the milestone in 20 matches alongside India great Sachin Tendulkar.

But it wouldn't be de Villiers' day. While his charges fell the southpaws of Pakistan's offence, de Villiers fell to right-armer Sohail Khan with 32 needed. 

Two runs later, the match was over.

The win is Pakistan's first Wolrd Cup win over South Africa having fallen short in three previous occasions.

Earlier, Dale Steyn produced his best figures of the World Cup with 3-30 from 10 overs.

Pakistan captain Misbah-ul-Haq top scored with 56, while Sarfraz's man-of-the-match performances started with a run-a-ball 49 opening the batting.