Last-wicket thriller as South Africa beat Pakistan

Pakistan pushed with all their might for the final wicket, but were unable to secure what would have been a famous victory under the Chidambaram lights.

Babar Azam (50) and Saud Shakeel (52) were the top scorers as Pakistan hit 270 in their first innings, with seven of the top eight reaching double figures. But Tabraiz Shamsi’s four-wicket haul helped restrict the scoring rate, with Pakistan bowled out in the 47th over.

South Africa’s effort with the ball was all the more impressive given they’d been asked to bowl in sizzling temperatures and without the services of the injured Kagiso Rabada. In the chase, Aiden Markram looked set to be steering South Africa to victory with an excellent knock. But Markram ut fell to concussion substitute Usama Mir just nine runs short of his century, setting up a nervous finish to the game at the Chidambaram Stadium.

But South Africa clung on, and Maharaj’s flick to the backward square boundary got his team over the line and sparked huge celebrations.

South Africa’s big-hitting top order got away to a flier in search of their target of 271. But Shaheen Shah Afridi ended an early flurry from Quinton de Kock (24) before Mohammad Wasim removed Temba Bavuma for 28 and a strong third-wicket partnership came to an end when concussion substitute Usama Mir had Rassie van der Dussen out lbw for 21 to give Pakistan a chance with the score at 121/3.

The dangerous Heinrich Klaasen was next to go, removed by Wasim for just 12.

But as long as Aiden Markram was out in the middle South Africa looked in control, and the classy number four forged a handy partnership with David Miller to move the Proteas to a dominant position.

Miller’s 33-ball 29 featured two sixes and two fours before Afridi returned to keep the game alive, having the big-hitter caught behind.

Yet Marco Jansen kept the foot to the floor for South Africa as he slammed 20 from just 14 deliveries to leave South Africa needing just 36 to win when he was caught by Babar off Haris Rauf.

South Africa survived a brilliant spell from Shaheen Shah Afridi as the game came down to the wire, with only Gerald Coetzee dismissed in a period that could have sealed it. And Afridi’s fast-bowling companion Haris Rauf almost won it at the death for Pakistan.

First the pacer pulled off a stunning caught and bowled to remove Lungi Ngidi. And then he thought he had Tabraiz Shamsi trapped lbw for the final match-winning wicket, only for the number 11 to survive thanks to umpire’s call.

But South Africa defied the description that has followed them for so long, holding their nerve to win it thanks to Maharaj.

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