October 27, 2023, Chennai, India: PAK vs SA witnessed an exhilarating ICC Cricket World Cup 2023 showdown at the M.A. Chidambaram Stadium, with South Africa claiming a nail-biting victory over Pakistan by just one wicket.
Pakistan won the toss and elected to bat first, setting a target of 271 for South Africa. Saud Shakeel and Babar Azam hit half-centuries for Pakistan, while Tabraiz Shamsi and Marco Jansen picked up four and three wickets respectively for South Africa.
Despite losing early wickets, South Africa appeared to be in control of their chase, thanks to Aiden Markram’s impressive 91. However, a middle and lower order collapse saw them lose six wickets in quick succession, and they were reduced to 233/9 with only 16 balls remaining.
Keshav Maharaj and Kagiso Rabada then put on a crucial 38-run partnership to take South Africa to the brink of victory. Maharaj hit the winning runs off the fourth ball of the 48th over, to seal a thrilling win for the Proteas.
Shamsi was named the Player of the Match for his four-wicket haul in the first innings.
South Africa’s victory was their sixth in the tournament, and it moved them to the top of the points table. Pakistan, on the other hand, suffered their third defeat of the tournament, and they are now in fourth place.
Summary of the match:
In the thrilling encounter, Pakistan won the coin toss and elected to take the first strike, setting a competitive target of 271 for South Africa to chase down. During their innings, Saud Shakeel and Babar Azam displayed their batting prowess, each notching up impressive half-centuries, contributing significantly to Pakistan’s final score.
In reply, South Africa’s bowlers showcased their skills as Tabraiz Shamsi and Marco Jansen stood out by grabbing four and three wickets, respectively, to keep Pakistan’s total within reach. Aiden Markram’s exceptional innings, accumulating 91 runs, provided a sense of control to South Africa, despite the early setbacks in the form of wicket losses.
However, the match took a dramatic turn when a sudden middle and lower-order collapse saw South Africa lose six wickets in quick succession, leaving them at a precarious 233/9 with only 16 balls remaining. In the face of adversity, Keshav Maharaj and Kagiso Rabada came together to form a crucial 38-run partnership, guiding South Africa to the brink of victory.
With the tension palpable, it was Keshav Maharaj who held his nerve, clinching the winning runs off the fourth ball of the 48th over, sealing a sensational triumph for the Proteas and etching an unforgettable moment in the annals of cricket history.
Analysis:
South Africa’s triumph was nothing short of electrifying, a pulsating testament to their unwavering fighting spirit. In the face of adversity, with early wickets tumbling in their pursuit, they exhibited unyielding determination and resilience. Ultimately, it was the pivotal partnership forged between Maharaj and Rabada that propelled them across the finish line in a nail-biting conclusion.
In stark contrast, Pakistan’s performance in the latter part of their innings left them disheartened. They had been positioned favorably to set a much more imposing total than 271, yet the unfortunate trend of losing wickets in clusters haunted them, and they were eventually bundled out for 270.
All in all, South Africa’s well-earned victory not only showcased their prowess but also catapulted them into a formidable position on their quest to secure a spot in the semi-finals of the ICC Cricket World Cup 2023.
Here are the players who played in the ICC Cricket World Cup 2023 match between Pakistan and South Africa
Pakistan:
- Abdullah Shafique
- Imam-ul-Haq
- Babar Azam (c)
- Mohammad Rizwan (wk)
- Saud Shakeel
- Shadab Khan
- Iftikhar Ahmed
- Mohammad Nawaz
- Shaheen Afridi
- Mohammad Wasim Jr.
- Haris Rauf
South Africa:
- Quinton de Kock
- Aiden Markram (c)
- Rassie van der Dussen
- Temba Bavuma
- Heinrich Klaasen
- David Miller
- Marco Jansen
- Gerald Coetzee
- Keshav Maharaj
- Lungi Ngidi
- Tabraiz Shamsi
