Keshav Maharaj smashed a decisive four against Mohammad Nawaz in the 48th over, securing South Africa's victory.
South Africa clinched a nail-biting one-wicket victory against Pakistan in Chennai, despite a late resurgence by the latter. Aiden Markram's stellar 91-run performance was overshadowed by his dismissal in the 41st over, leaving South Africa with 21 runs to win and three wickets in hand.
The pressure intensified as Shaheen Afridi and Haris Rauf, supported by Mohammad Wasim Jr., mounted a formidable attack on South Africa's tailenders, claiming crucial wickets. However, in the 47th over, as Wasim Jr. concluded his spell and Shaheen and Haris had already finished theirs, Keshav Maharaj seized the opportunity. He smashed a decisive four against Mohammad Nawaz in the 48th over, securing South Africa's victory.
In the earlier innings, Babar, after winning the toss, opted to bat at the MA Chidambaram Stadium. Marco Jansen's early breakthroughs limited Pakistan, dismissing both openers. Babar and Mohammad Rizwan formed a threatening partnership until Gerald Coetzee dismissed Rizwan in the 16th over.
Pakistan faced further setbacks with the loss of Iftikhar Ahmed and Babar, who fell just after reaching his half-century. However, Shadab Khan and Saud Shakeel's aggressive partnership injected momentum into Pakistan's innings. They added 84 runs in 71 balls before Shadab was out for 43 off 36 deliveries.
Shakeel continued his onslaught, scoring a fifty before departing at 52 off an equal number of balls. Pakistan's innings concluded at 270.
Notably, Kagiso Rabada was sidelined due to a back spasm, while South Africa welcomed back captain Temba Bavuma. In the Pakistani camp, Mohammad Nawaz replaced Usama Mir, and Mohammad Wasim Jr. took the place of the ailing Hasan Ali.
Both teams had started their 2023 World Cup campaigns strongly, winning their initial matches convincingly before suffering defeats. While Pakistan faced a setback against arch-rivals India, South Africa's surprising loss to the Netherlands rattled the cricketing world.
Since then, South Africa rebounded with commanding victories against England (by 229 runs) and Bangladesh (by 149 runs). In contrast, Pakistan struggled, succumbing to defeats against Australia (by 62 runs) and Afghanistan (by eight wickets).