“Ab calculator nikal lo padosiyo”- Netizens stupefied as South Africa pull off nervy win over Pakistan in World Cup for first time in 23 years
This match was unlike the one-sided one, for it became difficult to predict the winner until the last few overs.
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Tabraiz Shamsi, Keshav Maharaj and Babar Azam (Images via X)
Pakistan had lost three matches on the trot after playing five matches. And a loss against South Africa meant, their chance to qualify for the semifinals hanging in the air. However, on Friday (October 27), Babar Azam and Co. registered their fourth consecutive loss, just by one wicket against South Africa at the MA Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai.
After winning the toss, Pakistan elected to bat first. Following a sluggish start, skipper Babar Azam (50 off 65) played an important knock by scoring his half-century and handling their innings for a while alongside Mohammad Rizwan (31 off 27).
After their dismissals, Saud Shakeel scored 52 off 52 and Shadab Khan made 43 off 36 to guide their team to 270 in 46.4 overs. Tabraiz Shamsi was the pick of the bowlers for South Africa, for he scalped four wickets for 60 runs.
During South Africa’s run chase, though the openers tried to give a smooth start, they could stitch just 34 runs between them. Rassie van der Dussan became a victim of bizarre dismissals, and South Africa started losing wickets on a regular basis. Needing just 11 runs, South lost another wicket, of Lungi Ndigi off Haris Rauf.
All hopes were on Aiden Markram (91 off 93) who was nearing his century and making sure his team chased down the target with ease. But his dismissal by concussion substitute Usama Mir turned the tables. Soon the Proteas lost their eighth wicket, and it became difficult to predict a winner. The Proteas were very careful to not lose their last wicket and with five runs needed, Tabraiz Shamsi ran for a single off Mohammad Nawaz’s delivery to give the strike to Keshav Maharaj who smacked a four to seal the nervy victory.
Netizens react to South Africa’s nervy win over Pakistan
This match was unlike the one-sided one, for it became difficult to predict the winner until the last few overs; and fans wanted to watch such thrilling matches in this tournament. This was heartbreaking for the Pakistani fans, and the same for most of the Indian fans as well, for they wanted to see another India-Pakistan match in later stages.
Check fans’ reactions here:
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Gouri Das
(4904 Articles Published)