Aiden Markram's terrific 91 carried South Africa to a thrilling win against Pakistan in the ICC ODI World Cup 2023. With this victory, the Proteas are on the top of the table with 10 points and massive a net run rate. Batting first, Pakistan had a shaky start with a regular fall of wickets but still managed to score quick runs with a few big hits. The Men in Green were in trouble after being reduced to 141-5 as Babar Azam perished after a well-made half-century.
Here Shadab Khan and Saud Shakeel stitched up a crucial 81-run stand that allowed Pakistan to build a platform for the lower-order. This vital stand combined with a few late cameos, the Pakistani team posted a competitive total of 270 runs in the first innings.
For the Proteas, it was Tabraiz Shamsi, as the left-armer picked up four wickets. Then in the second innings, Pakistan, despite losing Shadab Khan to a concussion, managed to make early inroads by dismissing the likes of Quinton de Kock and Temba Bavuma cheaply.
Similarly, number three batter Rassie van der Dussen also got a score of 21 and the Proteas seemed in trouble. Here stepped up, Aiden Markram, who nearly carried the South Africans out of trouble as he scored an invaluable 91 while other batters failed to score runs.
Hence as Markram got out, the Pakistani fast bowlers put on the screws and reduce the Proteas to nine wickets. But Keshav Maharaj and Shamsi evaded the pace battery to help South Africa register a one-wicket win.
