Loss to Pak borderline embarrassing; our show in WC mediocre: Du Plessis

Describing the loss against Pakistan as "borderline embarrassing", a furious South Africa skipper Faf du Plessis said his team's performance in the World Cup has been "mediocre".

South Africa were knocked out of the World Cup with a 49-run loss to Pakistan here on Sunday.

"The results we are dishing out at the moment, it's tough. The way we played today is borderline embarrassing," Du Plessis said after the match.

Du Plessis was left red-faced as South Africa struggled to 259 for 9, chasing 309 against Pakistan. He blasted both his bowlers and the batsmen for their disappointing campaign at the 50-over showpiece.

"It started with our bowling. There were a lot of bad balls on a wicket where if you just bowled line and length it was going to be hard for them.

"It was a five out of 10 performance with the ball, then the same batting. We started nicely, got a partnership going, then wickets fall," he said.

"We are a mediocre team at the moment because we are making the same mistakes. One step forward and two steps back is not a good team," an angry Du Plessis added.

He termed Proteas humiliating exit from the ongoing World Cup as the "lowest point" of his career.

"I'm a very proud player and captain. Playing for South Africa means a lot to me. There are people rightly and fairly criticising the team because we are not playing the cricket we should.

"It's important myself, the coach and the senior players front up to this challenge," Du Plessis, who top-scored with 63 but did not get any support from the other end, said.

Five defeats from seven matches so far, having beaten only minnows Afghanistan in the tournament, Du Plessis demanded his players take more responsibility.

"As much as I can say, or the coach can say, the responsibility lies with the player to sort it out yourself if you are low on confidence. Everyone has played the game long enough to understand you go through highs and lows."