Pakistan appeared well disciplined after being asked to field as they didn't allow the Proteas to score easily at the batsman friendly Edgbaston track.
Though their pacers failed to get early breakthrough, South Africa managed to get first 50 runs in the 14th over. Off-spinner Hafeez gave Pakistan first breakthrough by getting rid of opener Colin Ingram after 53-run opening stand with Amla.
Hafeez trapped Ingram leg before in the 15th over after his struggling knock of 20 that came off 45 balls.
Amla then, joined by Faf du Plessis, slammed 20th half-ton of his career and steered South Africa past 100-mark.
Mohammad Irfan inflicted another blow on South Africa by scalping du Plessis (28) after his 69-run stand for the secondn wicket.
Plessis was caught by Shoaib Malik in the 29th over that reduced South Africa to 122/2.
Very soon Saeed Ajmal gave Pakistan major breakthrough by getting rid of Amla.
Ajmal struck in the 32nd over to restrict Amla from getting his ton and got him caught by Mohammad Hafeez at short third man, reducing South Africa to 145/3.
Amla's 81 came off 97 deliveries and were studded with nine boundaries.
After some decent show by AB de Villers (31) and JP Duminy (24), Pakistan bounced back as skipper Misbah ul Haq dismissed both batsmen in quick succession with brilliant piece of fielding.
Tailenders then took South Africa past 200 and guided the side to a challenging total.
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