Match 26, Chennai, October 27, 2023, 02:00 PM
270/10(46.4ov)
271/9(47.2ov)
South Africa beat Pakistan by 1 wicket
This has to be the best match so far in this edition. Right then! We have two matches lined up for the 28th of this month. Australia will take on New Zealand first and later, Netherlands will face Bangladesh. Join us for the action at 10.30 am IST (5 am GMT). Join us early for the build-up. Cheers!
Temba Bavuma says that the guys are enjoying the moment and there is chaos in the dressing room right now. Shares that it was a nail-biting finish and it was due to their own doing. Mentions that they did not bat well under pressure and let the game drift till the end. Shares that they will have a talk with guys who were there in that pressure situation. Further adds that they have a blueprint while batting first but cannot say so for chasing. Informs that Kagiso Rabada had lower back spasms and hence, he was rested as a precaution.
Babar Azam says that they were very close but did not finish well. Mentions that it is disappointing for everyone. Shares that they fought back very well but they were 10-15 runs short. Feels that the pacers and spinners bowled well. Also says that DRS decisions are part and parcel of the game. Ends by saying that they will give their best in the next game.
Tabraiz Shamsi is the Player of the Match. He says the early wickets helped and he enjoyed bowling to new batters. Mentions while it is going for him, he is happy but it is not always that way so he is enjoying it. Adds he never thought of playing a big shot but these are the types of games they train for and Maharaj was superb.
...Presentation next...
For the first time in the World Cup, Pakistan have lost four consecutive matches. Things are going from bad to worse for them in this World Cup. Firstly, they were at least 20 runs short. Their defensive approach got them into trouble and if not for the stand between Saud Shakeel and Shadab Khan, they would have ended well below 250. During their defense, they lost Shadab Khan right at the start due to an injury. Usama Mir was about to carry drinks for his team but came in as a concussion substitute and almost turned out as a match-winner. Took the big wickets of Rassie van der Dussen and Aiden Markram. He could have been the match-winner as well, as we believe, he was the go-to bowler in the death overs. A lot of ups and downs in the match but it is South Africa who keep the nerves and continue their winning streak.
It was looking very easy-peasy for South Africa at one point, Aiden Markram and David Miller were knocking it around with just a few runs to win. However, once Miller fell, the entertainment started. All the pressure was on Aiden Markram and the tail. Aiden Markram too fell at the very wrong time and suddenly Pakistan started to believe. They had a really good chance to win as South Africa were losing wickets. However, one advantage South Africa had was they had many balls left to play. Keshav Maharaj didn't try anything innovative and just hung around along with the tail. Lungi Ngidi fell but Tabraiz Shamsi scored four crucial runs to get his team over the line.
Why Babar Azam why? Why not Usama Mir who has been brilliant today? He took two big wickets but Babar still went for Mohammad Nawaz who was having an off day. What a game. What was looking like a comfortable match for South Africa turned out to be a thriller. A huge roar from Tabraiz Shamsi and Keshav Maharaj as they take their team over the line.
In over# 48
4
1
Mohammad Nawaz 40/0(6.2)
47.2
4
FOUR! SOUTH AFRICA HAVE DONE IT! Flat and on middle, Maharaj whips it behind square leg, past the infield player for a boundary. South Africa win by 1 wicket.
47.1
1
A boundary needed now. Flat and on off, this is flicked to square leg for a single.
Who will bowl now? Pakistan have to gamble. It has to be Usama Mir. Nope, it is Mohammad Nawaz. 5 runs needed in 18 balls.
In over# 47
0
0
1
0
1
0
1wd
Mohammad Wasim 50/2(10)
46.6
.
Very full and on middle, Maharaj defends, inside edges it onto the pads.
46.5
.
A length ball, around off, Maharaj makes a solid block.
46.4
1
Length ball, outside off, Shamsi dabs it to third man for one. Pakistan have to bring in more players. Babar Azam is not aggressive here.
46.3
.
A length ball on off, Shamsi looks to defend but inside edges it onto the pads. The emotions are high in Chennai. Anybody's game.
46.2
1
Length ball, outside off, Maharaj punches it through covers for a single. South Africa are one hit away.
46.1
.
Shorter and outside off, Maharaj slashes his blade and misses.
