ICC World Cup 2023: South Africa tops Pakistan in a thriller

CHENNAI: South Africa achieved a thrilling and sensational victory against Pakistan in a nail-biting contest. In a situation where Pakistan required just one wicket to secure a win, and South Africa needed four runs, it was Keshav Maharaj who came through with a boundary, securing a memorable win for his team.

Despite the South African top three batters failing to score big, Aiden Markram's valiant knock of 91 runs set the stage for the chase. David Miller (29) and Marco Jansen (20) provided valuable support. However, Pakistan's bowlers consistently took wickets, putting immense pressure on the South African batters.

Shaheen Afridi, in particular, showcased a brilliant spell, taking three wickets for 45 runs. As the match reached its climax, South Africa needed 11 runs to win with just one wicket remaining. Both Keshav Maharaj and Tabriaz Shamsi played cautiously, avoiding any unnecessary risks. Ultimately, Maharaj's boundary secured victory for South Africa, as they finished at 271/9 in 47.2 overs.

Batting first, Pakistan lost their opening batters early in the innings. However, Captain Babar Azam's elegant half-century (50) anchored their innings. Following his dismissal, Saud Shakeel (52) and Shadab Khan (43) built a solid partnership of 84 runs, setting the stage for a competitive total.

Nevertheless, South African bowlers consistently took wickets, and Pakistan was bowled out for 270 runs in 46.4 overs. Shamsi was the standout performer with four wickets for 60 runs, while Marco Jansen claimed three wickets for 43 runs.

With this victory, South Africa nearly secured their spot in the semi-finals, while Pakistan needs to win their remaining four matches to keep their semi-final aspirations alive.

Scorecard:

Pakistan: 270/10 (46.4 overs)

South Africa: 271/9 (47.2 overs)