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In a nail-biting encounter in Chennai, South Africa emerged victorious over Pakistan with a sensational one-wicket win during their ICC World Cup 2023 clash on October 27. Pakistan's woes continued as they suffered their fourth consecutive defeat in the ongoing tournament. After the loss, the Men in Green's premier paceman Shaheen Afridi was spotted crying inconsolably while sitting in the dugout and reflecting on the defeat.
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Despite strong contributions from Babar Azam and Saud Shakeel, Pakistan managed to post a modest total of 270, thanks to the exceptional bowling performance of Tabraiz Shamsi, who claimed four wickets. South Africa, in pursuit of 271 to win, got off to a solid start with Aiden Markram's brilliant knock of 91 runs. However, the match went down to the wire, with South Africa finding themselves at 260/9. It was Keshav Maharaj and Tabraiz Shamsi who held their nerves and guided South Africa to a thrilling one-wicket victory.
This victory not only marked Pakistan's fourth consecutive loss in the World Cup but also propelled South Africa to the top of the points table, surpassing Team India.
In their pursuit of Pakistan's target, South Africa's top-order batsmen launched an aggressive assault. Quinton de Kock began the chase with a quick 24, but he was dismissed by Afridi. Temba Bavuma, too, fell to Mohammad Wasim after contributing 28 runs.
The tension escalated when Rassie van der Dussen, who had been instrumental in setting up a crucial third-wicket partnership, was dismissed via an lbw decision against concussion substitute Usama Mir. At this point, the scoreboard displayed a challenging 121/3, giving Pakistan a glimmer of hope.
Nevertheless, South Africa's resilience shone through as Heinrich Klaasen, despite a brief stay, managed to score 12 runs before being dismissed by Wasim. Aiden Markram then took charge, supported by David Miller's explosive 33-ball 29, filled with boundaries, as South Africa moved closer to their target.
Afridi, determined to shift the momentum in Pakistan's favor, interrupted South Africa's progress by dismissing Miller. As the climax neared, Marco Jansen infused fresh energy with a quick 20 off 14 balls, bringing South Africa's requirement down to just 36 runs. However, his fiery cameo was halted by Haris Rauf, courtesy of a brilliant catch by Babar Azam.
As the match progressed, South Africa displayed commendable resilience against Afridi's lethal spell, navigating through the tense overs with minimal damage. The climax reached its zenith when Rauf showcased his brilliance, coming tantalizingly close to a game-changing lbw against Tabraiz Shamsi. However, the umpire's decision favored the Proteas, keeping them in the hunt.
In a match filled with twists and heart-stopping moments, South Africa finally shed the "chokers" label that had haunted them for years. Demonstrating immense composure and grit, they secured a thrilling victory, with Keshav Maharaj emerging as the final bastion.
This victory not only provided South Africa with a much-needed boost but also dealt a severe blow to Pakistan's World Cup campaign, marking an unforgettable clash in the tournament's history.
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