PAK vs SA: Best Match Of World Cup 2023! Twitter Reacts As South Africa Beat Pakistan In A Nail-biter

In the 26th match of the ICC Cricket World Cup 2023, the Temba Bavuma-led South Africa National Cricket Team went head-to-head with the Babar Azam-led Pakistan National Cricket Team at the MA Chidambaram Stadium, Chepauk, Chennai on Friday, October 27.

Pakistan won the toss and elected to bat first in the match. They made two changes to their playing XI as sick Hasan Ali and Usama Mir were replaced by Mohammad Wasim Jr. and Mohammad Nawaz.

The Proteas also made three massive changes as Temba Bavuma returned to the playing XI alongside Lungi Ngidi and Tabraiz Shamsi. Reeza Hendricks, Lizaad Williams, and Kagiso Rabada were left out of the team.

Batting first, the Men In Green were off to a poor start as openers Abdullah Shafique (9) and Imam-ul-Haq (12) were cleaned up by left-arm seamer Marco Jansen.

The dependable duo of Babar Azam and Mohammad Rizwan (31) tried to bail their side out of trouble and they added 48 runs in 56 balls before the latter was dismissed by Gerald Coetzee.

After losing his partner, Babar Azam tried to carry on the momentum by stitching together 43 runs in 56 balls with Iftikhar Ahmed. However, both Babar Azam (50) and Iftikhar Ahmed (21) were dismissed in quick succession.

When it looked like the Men In Green were in trouble and would get bundled out for a low score, Saud Shakeel and Shadab Khan stitched together an outstanding 84 runs in 71 balls to steady the ship. Shakeel smashed 52 runs and Shadab scored a brilliant 43 runs. Mohammad Nawaz also chipped in with 24 runs as Pakistan were bundled out for 270 in 46.4 overs.

Chasing the target, Temba Bavuma and Quinton de Kock provided their side with a good start, but they were unable to score big runs. Just like the openers, Rassie van der Dussen, Heinrich Klaasen, David Miller, and Marco Jansen got off to a good start, but all of them failed to convert it into big scores.

The only one who managed to register a big score for South Africa was the vice-captain Aiden Markram. He played brilliantly and stood strong on one end despite wickets falling on the other hand.

Aiden Markram scored brilliant 91 runs off 93 balls, with 7 fours and 3 sixes, before being dismissed by concussion substitute Usama Mir in the 41st over. Then came a thrilling part of the match as the Pakistan bowlers bowled exceptionally well and reduced the Proteas to 260/9.

In the end, the match would have gone either way, but Keshav Maharaj and Tabraiz Shamsi remained unbeaten, adding the most crucial 11 runs together to steer South Africa to 1 wicket victory in an absolute nail-biter.

Here’s How Twitter Reacted To Pakistan vs South Africa ICC World Cup 2023 Clash:

#WorldCup2023

South Africa: We know how to choke.
Pakistan: Hold my Roohafza.

— KSR (@KShriniwasRao) October 27, 2023

Two calls went against team Pakistan. Wide and LBW. Looks like South Africa got some Luck with solid game this World Cup… #PAKvSA

— Irfan Pathan (@IrfanPathan) October 27, 2023

Was there any doubt?

Om Namo Bhagavate Vasudevaye ?️#KeshavMaharaj #PAKvSA #CWC2023 pic.twitter.com/xE64E1VN3v

— Kaushik Kashyap (@CricKaushik_) October 27, 2023

ODI CRICKET !! You BEAUTY ❤️. This is what you play for ‘ what a game ! Well done @ProteasMenCSA . #SAvsPAK

— Shreevats goswami (@shreevats1) October 27, 2023

Not sure about Nawaz at the end…….

— Harsha Bhogle (@bhogleharsha) October 27, 2023

Finally a great game of cricket .. #CWC2023

— Michael Vaughan (@MichaelVaughan) October 27, 2023

This is going to be a long campaign from hereon for England and Pakistan.

— Sa. Gomesh | ச. கோமேஷ் (@SaGomesh) October 27, 2023

Nawaz tu South Africa ka match winner hai. #PAKvsSA

— Wasay Habib (@wwasay) October 27, 2023

Congratulations Pakistan on removing India from top of the points table. Unbelievable effort to make it possible.

— Silly Point (@FarziCricketer) October 27, 2023

Take a bow South Africa #CWC23

— Dodda Ganesh | ದೊಡ್ಡ ಗಣೇಶ್ (@doddaganesha) October 27, 2023

Hey Keshav….you are the Maharaj ??#CWC23 #SAvPak

— Aakash Chopra (@cricketaakash) October 27, 2023

IN 48 YEARS OF WORLD CUP HISTORY, PAKISTAN HAVE LOST 4 MATCHES IN A ROW FOR THE FIRST TIME EVER. I CANNOT BREATHE PROPERLY ???? #CWC23 #PAKvsSA pic.twitter.com/FmPfh3fK9f

— Farid Khan (@_FaridKhan) October 27, 2023

South Africa choke Pakistan.
That trip to Sree Padmanabhaswamy Temple worked for Keshav Maharaj ?#SAvsPAK pic.twitter.com/765gFeJevn

— Anant Tyagi (@anantyagi_) October 27, 2023

Markram & Miller can sleep peacefully now.

But seriously, this should be a wake up call for SA's batting line up in a chase. They really need the set batter to bat through. Can't afford such shots, and more importantly, an approach like the one today in the end. Markram had…

— Gurkirat Singh Gill (@gurkiratsgill) October 27, 2023

The best match of the tournament so far, but a heartbreaker for Pakistan!

— Joy Bhattacharjya (@joybhattacharj) October 27, 2023

It's that day again!!!! pic.twitter.com/6RtfHC3FcO

— Jaanvi? (@that_shutterbug) October 27, 2023

Almost the same old South Africa x Almost the same old Pakistan
produce a fantastic game of cricket. Some serious steel from Maharaj – Some serious last spells from the pacers ! Pak twenty runs short – Squandered it in their last few overs. #PAKvsSA

— Jatin Sapru (@jatinsapru) October 27, 2023

Close matches turn on fine margins – Pakistan batted for 46.4 overs, meaning they missed out on facing 20 balls #CWC23 #PAKvSA

— Saj Sadiq (@SajSadiqCricket) October 27, 2023

Wow just WOW?? The Proteas fire!! What an incredible win to claim the top spot on the table!!?? Pakistan was well in the game in the end but hard luck. #CWC23 #PAKVSA

— Robin Aiyuda Uthappa (@robbieuthappa) October 27, 2023

The Proteas continue to dominate and secure a fantastic win in this thriller. #CWC23 #PAKVSA

— Anil Kumble (@anilkumble1074) October 27, 2023

South Africa choke Pakistan.
That trip to Sree Padmanabhaswamy Temple worked for Keshav Maharaj ?#SAvsPAK pic.twitter.com/765gFeJevn

— Anant Tyagi (@anantyagi_) October 27, 2023

Pakistan won ! That was an OUT! “Impact in line!” Yes, we can argue over it and can all have our own opinions. For me, Pakistan won. ??

A valid question my friends are asking that may haunt many for a long time: “Why did it take longer than usual for the review video.…

— Ali Zafar (@AliZafarsays) October 27, 2023

Success boils down to one thing: playing smart cricket ! Crowd support, pitches, songs, travel, luck, criticism, and pressure all become irrelevant when you perform at your best. #WorldCup2023

— Muhammad Wasim (@MuhammadWasim77) October 27, 2023