PAK vs SA, World Cup 2023 Match 26: Awards List, Man of the Match, Key Stats, Presentation Ceremony

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South Africa pulled off a thrilling victory over Pakistan in a nail-biting encounter in Chennai on Friday (October 27).

After deciding to bat first in Chennai, Pakistan put up a respectable total of 270 runs. Their batting lineup saw notable half-century contributions from Babar Azam (50) and Saud Shakeel (52). Shadab Khan and Mohammad Nawaz provided valuable last-minute performances that pushed their score beyond 250. Tabraiz Shamsi, the South African spinner, managed to seize four dismissals.

The South African innings began solidly with Quinton de Kock and skipper Temba Bavuma at the crease. However, they lost both their openers within the first ten overs. Despite maintaining a healthy run rate, the South African team continued to lose wickets consistently. Usama Mir, making history as the first-ever concussion substitute in the World Cup, claimed two Proteas batsmen during the middle overs.

Then, a partnership of 70 runs between Aiden Markram and David Miller for the fifth wicket set the Proteas on a smooth path. However, with the fall of Miller, the game turned. As Markram went out with just 20 needed for victory, the match ended up on the edge. Lungi Ngidi and Keshav Maharaj, the lower-order batsmen, then faced the challenge of getting their team across the finish line. In the end, it was Keshav Maharaj who hit the winning runs off his bat to secure a memorable win.

Pakistan vs South Africa WC 2023 Awards List

PAK vs SA Man of the Match: Tabraiz Shamsi (SA) for his 4 wickets with the ball.

"Really happy. I knew I had to do a job there, but the guys before me set it up. Credit goes to those guys too. I've played enough cricket to know sometimes it goes for you, sometimes it doesn't. I didn't expect to be here with my pads on doing this interview. (On the last over) If I tried to play a big shot and if it didn't come off, the boys wouldn't welcome me back to the change room. So there was no doubt in my mind that I had to just defend and get Kesh on strike. These are the kind of moments you dream of, to be in the middle at the end and win your team a game. Kesh was unbelievable out there."

Pakistan vs South Africa: Key Stats

• This is South Africa's 2nd highest run chase in a World Cup match.
  
  
• 18 players got dismissed by Catch in this match, which is the most in a World Cup match.
  
  
• This was the 4th time Pakistan got bowled out in this World Cup. They have played 6 matches so far.
  
  
• Pakistan have lost four consecutive matches in a World Cup for the first time.
  
  
• This is South Africa's first-ever victory over Pakistan in a World Cup match on their 7th attempt.

Pakistan vs South Africa: Captains Words

Babar Azam | Pakistan Captain: "Very disappointing, we fought back well but we were 10-15 runs short. I think the way fast bowlers bowled, they did well but unfortunately the result was not in our side. (About drs), it's part of the game, this is umpire's call so I think it's just part of the game. I think it's disappointing everyone, we had the opportunity to win this match and stay in the tournament but we missed it. We will try our best in our next three matches and put our effort so let's see where we stand after the three matches."

Temba Bavuma | South Africa Captain: "Guys enjoying at the moment. They are picking up Shamsi, a bit chaos. Nailbiting finish, if you are a South African fan, you will be happier. We allowed the game to get to the point. We haven't done well in chasing, it will be easier to have those conversations now. I think obviously we have a blueprint, batting first, we have shown, we can't say with conviction we have the blueprint while chasing but we will have the conversations. Ecstatic for Shamsi, He came in favourable conditions and exploited it and then with the bat I think you've seen Shamsi on social media gloating about his batting, we needed that today and fortunately for us he came through."