Pakistan's batters failed to post a big total of high-flying South Africa as Babar Azam's brigade could only muster 270 runs while batting first. But what happened next was something they weren't prepared for. In the very second ball of Pakistan's bowling their star all-rounder and vice captain Shadab Khan picked up a neck injury while fielding. In the second ball of the very first over which Iftikhar Ahmed was bowling, Shadab ran in quickly trying to prevent a single inside the 30-yard circle and got a neck sprain.
South Africa skipper Temba Bavuma nudged a ball and ran for a single off Iftikhar's. Stationed at mid-on Shadab ran towards the ball and threw it at the stumps. However, he landed badly on the shoulder. Soonafter he received the medical attention which also saw a stretcher coming into the field. However, Shadab stood up and walking off the field with a physio without moving his neck.
It will be a massive blow to Pakistan if Shadab doesn't return to the field, given his knack to spin the ball on the turning track in Chennai.
However, Pakistan took a concussion substitute in the form of Usama Mir for Shadab in the ongoing match against South Africa. Notably, the substitute request was approved by the match referee.
Earlier, Shadab also contributed with an instrumental 43 runs and also stitched a partnership of 80-plus runs with Saud Shakeel to help Pakistan post a total of 270 in 50 overs. Meanwhile skipper Babar Azam and Shakeel cracked fifties each but failed to convert them into big score. Tabraiz Shamsi remained the pick of the bowler for South Africa as he dazzled with an impressive bowling figure of 4/60. Meanwhile, Marco Jansen and Gerald Coetzee too shone with three and two wickets respectively.
Pakistan would want to win the match as they are on the verge of elimination from the ongoing ODI World Cup. In a total of five matches, Babar's army have won just two and have suffered three defeats.
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