Look and learn for England

England watched live television coverage of South Africa's five- wicket victory over Pakistan yesterday, and they could not have failed to appreciate the Springbok's tactics - masterminded by their coach, Bob Woolmer - which swept away the co-hosts' unbeaten record in Group B.

Now the onus is on the captain, Mike Atherton, and the chairman, Ray Illingworth, to formulate with an equally effective game plan for England's meeting with Pakistan on Sunday.

A determined South Africa moved a step closer to a quarter-final berth in Karachi. Yesterday's victory ensured they are now certain to finish top of Group B, removing the prospect of a trip across the border to India.

Javed Miandad, a veteran of all six World Cups, is expected to confront England on Sunday, as are the opener Aamir Sohail, who picked up a groin injury while scoring 111 yesterday, and the wicketkeeper Rashid Latif, who has a bruised finger.

Pakistan now face the probability of a quarter-final in India. They would have to lose against both England and New Zealand to finish fourth in the group and guarantee themselves a last-eight match on home soil.

"It doesn't matter where we play our quarter-final," the Pakistan captain, Wasim Akram, insisted. "It would be better, of course, to stay in Pakistan but we would probably be under less pressure in India."