TRENT BRIDGE. England. June 5: Lance Klusener won his power battle with pace sensation Shoaib Akhtar here on Saturday as South Africa salvaged their World Cup campaign with a stunning three-wicket victory against favourites Pakistan, reports AFP.

Hansie Cronje's side looked dead and buried after collapsing to 58 for five as they chased Pakistan's 220 for seven in the second-round encounter.

But Jacques Kallis (54) hung around to put on 77 with Shaun Pollock (30) before all-rounder Klusener. grabbing his fourth man-of-the-match award of the tournament, thrashed 46 not out off 41 balls, including three fours and three sixes.

South Africa won with six bails aJgc." " •

They had needed 44 to win off five overs with seven wickets down — Pakistan earlier in the day managed 54 off their fi-

nal 30 balls - when Klusener took matters into his own hands.

The key came in the 46th over when he pulled Akhtar, who had earlier bowled a string of 95mph deliveries, for six over square leg as 17 came off six balls.

Another six by Klusener off Wasim Akram, copied in the penultimate over by Mark Boucher off Saqlain Mushtaq s off spin, settled matters.

The victory extended South Africa's winning sequence against Pakistan to an ex-

traordinary 13.

Both sides, regarded as the best two outfits in the tournament, now have four points, with two games of the Super Six phase to go. Six points will give them a good chance of reaching the semi-finals.

Pakistan, had they won. were all but guaranteed a place in the semi-finals.

Pace bowling sensation Shoaib Akhtar had earlier torn the heart out of South Africa's top order.

He removed Herschelle Gibbs. caught at gully for a duck, and Cronje, top-edging to third man for four, to make it 19 for two.

Akhtar. dubbed the "Rawalpindi Express", surpassed the previous fastest World Cup delivery as a newly-installed speed gun struggled to keep up.

Soon Gary Kirsten had padded up to Wasim Akram without playing a shot. Daryll Cullinan had wafted a catch to cover and Jonty Rhodes had .Proteas were reduced to 58 fqrj. five.’ ' 1 ' C

Azhar Mahmood took three wickets.

But Klusener. nicknamed "Zulu", then appeared to turn the match.

The left-hander had saved his side against England and Sri Lanka earlier in the tour-

nament. He has yet to be dismissed in the World Cup alter making 210 i...is.

Pakistan's own top-order batting had been less than convincing until wicket-keeper Moin Khan, Klusener-like, had salvaged the innings with a high-speed cameo.

Moin cracked 63 off 56 balls, including sixes off Allan Donald and Shaun Pollock as 81 runs came off the last 10 overs.

Those preceeding him had struggled against superb fielding and tight bowling, seamer Steve. Elworthy leadingAjje yzay with two for 23 off 10 overs. j

The hefty Inzamam-uUHaq, the mainstay of the batting in earlier wins, could make just four before he was run out. failing to ground his bat after risking a sharp single to Rhodes. It was the 30th time In his one-day international career that he had been run out.