'The belief is coming back'

Pakistan made a winning return on Saturday to the venue where they defeated New Zealand in their 1992 cricket World Cup semifinal before going on to win the tournament for the first and only time.

After a shaky start to the Cup, including a crushing defeat by West Indies in Christchurch, Pakistan showed enough at Eden Park on Saturday in their 29-run win over pre-tournament favourites South Africa to demonstrate what dangerous opponents they can be.

"Beating South Africa, who are playing really good cricket, after that everybody believes now, the players, the team, can take a lot of confidence from it. When runs are on the board, it is always pressure on the opposition," added Pakistan captain Misbahul Haq.

Pakistan coach Waqar Younis told a news conference he had always known how good Sarfraz was and added his team had started to play the good, aggressive cricket it had been known for in the past.

"We have started finding the right combinations, people have started believing in themselves. They have started trusting their abilities. I am very thrilled but there is a long way to go," he said.

Pakistan's batting was again fragile and their fielding often erratic although the catching was sound. But their fast bowlers rose to the occasion and the three left-armers Mohammad Irfan, Wahab Riaz and Rahat Ali each took three wickets.

"They bowled with real pace and purpose," said Waqar, a former master of the fast bowling art. "We knew we had to get them out to win this game. Teams who are playing aggressively have been more successful.

Asked if the present side could emulate Imran Khan's 1992 side, Waqar said: "Look, I hope, I hope that it turns out to be the same."