CHENNAI (Web Desk): South Africa secured a dramatic one-wicket victory over a determined Pakistan team in a heart-pounding encounter at the ICC World Cup 2023 in Chennai.
The contest saw several twists and turns that kept fans on the edge of their seats. South Africa’s chase of 271 runs got off to a flying start, with openers Quinton de Kock and Temba Bavuma contributing 30 runs in just two overs. However, Shaheen Afridi halted their momentum by dismissing de Kock after a brisk 24 off 14 balls. Aiden Markram joined Bavuma, and the pair added 33 runs before the Proteas captain departed after a solid 28 off 27 deliveries.
Rassie van der Dussen partnered with Markram, and together they built a crucial 54-run stand before Usama Mir dismissed van der Dussen lbw for 21. South Africa faced a setback when in-form Heinrich Klaasen was dismissed for just 12 runs in the second over, leaving them at 136/4. David Miller then joined forces with Markram to construct a valuable 70-run partnership, which was broken when Shaheen Afridi had Miller caught behind in the 34th over after contributing 29 runs from 33 balls.
Markram, along with Marco Jansen, added 29 runs for the sixth wicket before Jansen was dismissed by Haris Rauf, scoring a brisk 20. Markram’s resilient innings came to an end in the 41st over when he was caught by Babar Azam while attempting a big shot. Markram was the top-scorer for South Africa, notching up a gutsy 91 off 93 deliveries, which included 7 fours and 3 sixes.
South Africa found themselves at 250/8 in the following over as Gerald Coetzee was caught behind off Shaheen Afridi for 13. The hopes of South Africa rested on Keshav Maharaj, who first built a 10-run partnership with Lungi Ngidi (4) and then a match-winning 11-run partnership with Tabraiz Shamsi (4*). Maharaj remained unbeaten with 7 runs from 21 balls. Shaheen Afridi was Pakistan’s top bowler, claiming 3 wickets for 45 runs, while Haris Rauf, Usama Mir, and M. Wasim Jr each secured two wickets.
In the earlier innings, Pakistan, after choosing to bat, faced early setbacks at 38-2 in the seventh over, with both openers dismissed. Captain Babar Azam and Mohammad Rizwan then combined for a 48-run partnership for the third wicket before Rizwan fell to Gerald Coetzee after scoring 31 off 27 balls.
Iftikhar Ahmed joined Babar Azam to add 41 runs, but both batsmen were removed in quick succession by Tabraiz Shamsi, reducing Pakistan to 141-5. Babar Azam reached a steady 50 off 65 balls, while Iftikhar contributed 21 from 31 balls. Saud Shakeel and Shadab Khan then stabilized Pakistan’s innings with a counterattacking partnership of 84 runs from 71 balls. Coetzee eventually dismissed Shadab Khan, who scored 43 off 36.
Saud Shakeel achieved his third ODI half-century before falling to Shamsi after a run-a-ball 52, featuring 7 fours. Mohammad Nawaz contributed 24 runs to help Pakistan reach a total of 268. Lungi Ngidi picked up a single wicket to wrap up Pakistan’s innings at 270. Tabraiz Shamsi was the standout bowler for South Africa, claiming four wickets, while Marco Jansen finished with figures of 3-43.
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