Need to beat SA: Waqar

Pakistan coach Waqar Younis Wednesday targeted big-hitting South Africa, saying his team must beat a strong outfit to prove they belong at the World Cup.

They now play South Africa in Auckland on Saturday in a crunch match in which their qualification for the quarterfinals will largely depend.

Waqar said the two wins after two losses gave the team much-needed confidence.

"Look it [win] definitely changed the body language of the players because a win always make you feel comfortable and confident, but I still feel that we need to win against a bigger team like South Africa to tell the world that we are around," said Waqar.

Waqar agreed Pakistan were not looking as commanding as South Africa who have posted back-to-back 400-plus totals in their last two wins.

"Maybe you might be thinking that we are not playing well but we are missing two of our key players," said Waqar of Saeed Ajmal and Mohammad Hafeez -- both suspended for illegal bowling actions.

Hafeez also injured his calf before the World Cup and returned home to be replaced by Nasir Jamshed.

"The tournament will get tougher and tougher and we should be ready for that," added Waqar.

"Of course we can, we have done it in the past, it's not asking too much and we have beaten South Africa in South Africa [in late 2013]."

Waqar, under whom Pakistan finished as semifinalists at the 2011 World Cup, said his team was capable of picking up steam.

"I think the crucial game will be against South Africa not only for qualifying but also for a morale booster. We need to beat a top team to get our confidence back."