A nervy finish in Chennai as South Africa won by one wicket.
In a thrilling contest, South Africa secured a one-wicket victory over Pakistan, breaking their 24-year World Cup jinx against the Pakistani team.
In pursuit of a 271-run target, South Africa managed to reach the finish line with just one wicket in hand, completing the chase in 47.2 overs. This nail-biting win marked Pakistan’s fourth consecutive loss in the mega event, leaving them with only a slim chance of reaching the World Cup semi-finals.
Left-arm spinner Tabraiz Shamsi was the standout performer for South Africa, taking four crucial wickets as Pakistan was bowled out for 270 in a match held in Chennai. The 33-year-old Shamsi recorded figures of 4-60, while paceman Marco Jansen contributed with 3-43. Pakistan had won the toss and chosen to bat, hoping to revive their World Cup aspirations.
Pakistan’s middle-order batsman, Saud Shakeel, played a resilient knock of 52 runs from as many balls, while captain Babar Azam contributed a steady 65-ball 50. Shadab Khan added an aggressive 43 from 36 balls.
It’s worth noting that Pakistan can take solace from South Africa’s recent unexpected defeat to the Netherlands, where South Africa fell short while chasing a target of 246 in Dharamsala last week.
The Pakistani team’s total would have been lower if not for the partnership between Shakeel and Shadab, who put together an 84-run stand for the sixth wicket in 71 balls after Babar Azam’s dismissal at 141. Shadab’s innings included two sixes and three boundaries, while Shakeel’s second half-century in the tournament featured seven boundaries.
South Africa’s fast bowler, Gerald Cotzee, made an early impact by dismissing the openers, Abdullah Shafique (nine) and Imam-ul-Haq (12), within the first seven overs. Azam combined with Mohammad Rizwan (31 runs, including a six and four boundaries) to add 48 runs for the third wicket. The skipper continued his partnership with Iftikhar Ahmed (21 runs, including a six and a boundary), adding another 43 runs for the next wicket.
However, Shamsi’s dismissal of Iftikhar, caught at long-on, and Azam, caught behind the wicket while attempting a sweep shot, disrupted Pakistan’s innings until Shakeel and Shadab came to the rescue. The partnership was eventually broken by fast bowler Gerald Cotzee in the 40th over, with Shadab’s departure, and Shamsi later dismissed Shakeel and Shaheen Shah Afridi for just two runs.
A nervy finish in Chennai as South Africa win by one wicket 🏏
Great fight shown by the boys.#PAKvSA | #DattKePakistani pic.twitter.com/sb0FVDRzgh
— Pakistan Cricket (@TheRealPCB) October 27, 2023