South Africa National Cricket Team Vs Pakistan National Cricket Team Match Scorecard

What a mixed feeling we, cricket fans, have whenever the World Cup Trophy begins. It feels like a moment where anything can happen. The pressure is high, the atmosphere electric, and each match carries weight far beyond the scoreboard. You can almost feel the intensity through the screen as nations pin their hopes on 11 players.

Now think about two teams known for their passion and fight—South Africa and Pakistan. When they meet on the field, you can almost sense the tension before the first ball is bowled.

Both teams have fierce fan bases. And both came into the 2023 ICC Cricket World Cup in India looking to make their mark. This match wasn’t a final, but it sure felt like one.

If you missed the live action or just want to walk through it again, we’re breaking it all down. Let’s rewind and relive every twist, one score at a time.

Match Outline

Venue & Date:

• MA Chidambaram Stadium, Chennai
• October 27, 2023

Toss & Decision:

• Pakistan won the toss and decided to bat first

Result:

• South Africa chased 271, winning by just one wicket with 16 balls to spare

The match was a rollercoaster. Pakistan posted a competitive total of 270 in 46.4 overs. In reply, South Africa ultimately edged past the target, reaching 271/9 in 47.2 overs. It was a nail-biting, one-wicket victory that became one of the most thrilling finishes of the tournament.

Scorecard Summary

• Pakistan batted first and were bowled out for 270 runs in 46.4 overs.
• South Africa chased down the target and scored 271/9 in 47.2 overs, winning the match by 1 wicket.

Pakistan (270 all out in 46.4 overs)

Top Scorer: Babar Azam – 50 (65 balls)

Other Notable Contributions:

• Saud Shakeel – 52 (52 balls)
• Shadab Khan – 43 (36 balls)

Best Bowlers (from South Africa’s side):

• Tabraiz Shamsi – 4/60
• Marco Jansen – 3/43

South Africa (271/9 in 47.2 overs)

Top Scorer: Aiden Markram – 91* (93 balls)

Other Contributions:

• David Miller – 29 (33 balls)
• Temba Bavuma and de Kock did not contribute heavily in this match

Best Bowlers (from Pakistan’s side):

• Shaheen Shah Afridi – 3/45
• Usama Mir – 2/45
• Haris Rauf – 2/62

First Innings: Pakistan Batting

Pakistan’s start was shaky. Both openers—Abdullah Shafique and Imam-ul-Haq—departed early, unable to counter the bounce and swing of Marco Jansen. The early collapse put pressure on the middle order, but skipper Babar Azam, once again, stepped up with a composed 50 off 65 balls.

He was supported well by Saud Shakeel, who played with control and intent. His 52 off 52 balls added much-needed stability. Brief but effective contributions from Mohammad Rizwan, Iftikhar Ahmed, and Shadab Khan helped lift Pakistan to 270 before they were bowled out in the 47th over.

The spinners were crucial on the slow Chennai pitch, with Tabraiz Shamsi taking four wickets. His variations broke Pakistan’s rhythm just when they looked set for a late assault. Jansen, too, returned with excellent figures of 3/43.

Pakistan’s Key Contributions

• Babar Azam: Fixed the innings with a controlled 85 from 112 balls.
• Mohammad Rizwan: Steady 45 off 60 that helped build momentum.
• Shoaib Malik: Late surge with 30 off 18 balls added crucial runs at the end.

Bowling Review: Pakistan

With a modest total to defend, Pakistan needed early breakthroughs. Haris Rauf took that challenge head-on. Bowling with pace and precision, he picked up three key wickets and gave South Africa little room to settle. Shaheen Afridi also chipped in with two wickets, using swing effectively in the first few overs.

However, the spinners didn’t have the same impact. On a surface that didn’t offer much turn, they struggled to keep things tight. South Africa’s batters rotated the strike with ease and kept the scoreboard ticking. The pressure was on Pakistan’s bowlers, especially during the middle overs. But overall, the attack stayed disciplined and kept things from getting out of hand.

Second Innings: South Africa Batting

South Africa began the chase positively, with de Kock smashing a quick 24 off just 14 balls. But his dismissal, followed by Temba Bavuma and Rassie van der Dussen, slowed down the innings. At 121/3, the match was finely balanced.

Aiden Markram held the innings together with a magnificent 91 off 93 balls. His timing, shot selection, and calm under pressure kept South Africa in the hunt. But just as he looked set to take them over the line, he fell with the team still needing runs.

David Miller, Marco Jansen, and Gerald Coetzee chipped in, but wickets kept tumbling. With South Africa at 260/9, Pakistan seemed to have clawed back into the match. However, Keshav Maharaj and Tabraiz Shamsi showed nerves of steel, calmly guiding their team past the finish line.

South Africa’s Top Scorers

• Temba Bavuma: Composed 68 off 95 balls, held the innings together.
• Aiden Markram: Steady 55 off 78 provided crucial support.
• Quinton de Kock: Aggressive start with 45 gave South Africa early momentum.

Turning Points of the Game

• Pakistan’s late-innings acceleration – Malik’s quick cameo pushed the total beyond 260. That extra 15–20 runs began to matter.
• South Africa’s top-order collapse – Losing two early wickets disrupted their rhythm.
• Death-overs bowling brilliance – Rauf’s final overs kept South Africa under the required run rate.

Conclusion

Some matches just have a bit of everything. This one had momentum swings, brilliant knocks, tight spells, and a finish that left everyone holding their breath. For fans, it was a reminder of why World Cups matter. The stakes are high, the performances bigger, and every single ball could make history.

South Africa walked away with two points, but Pakistan didn’t walk away empty-handed. They showed character, fight, and flashes of brilliance—just not enough to seal the win.

Cricket, at its best, is unpredictable. And this match? It was a shining example of just that.