CRUNCH ICC MEN’S CRICKET WORLD CUP: Proteas move to the top of the table after pulling off nail-biting win over Pakistan

By Sports Reporter

South Africa won a nail-biting game against Pakistan, winning by one wicket in the crunch ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup 2023 fixture in Chennai.

It was Keshav Maharaj who held his nerve to hit the winning runs for the Proteas, who had looked well on course before losing four wickets for 25 runs with the finishing line in sight.

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 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.

ROMANS IN THE LION’S DEN

TACTICIAN: Pretoria Callies need to dig deep against youthful Postmasburg-based side

By Masoja Cele

Hungry Lions persistent form will be unbearable for the inconsistent Pretoria Callies side when the two sides meet in the Motsepe Foundation Championship contest at the Namibia Draught Park Stadium. The match is scheduled for Sunday with a 15:30 kick-off.

After thumping NB La Masia 4-0 and claimed 1-0 victories over Platinum City and Orbit College respectively and a scoreless draw against Maritzburg United, Lions are lying in a respectable third position on the log standings.

Aiming to quickly improve from last weekend 0-0 draw against Maritzburg United, Lions are expected to bounce back from that results and improve their position in the top bracket of the Championship. Despite last weekend draw, Lions are in a strong position to punish the visitors.

The Northern Cape side, who continue to hold a sizeable advantage of an automatic promotion to the DStv Premier tier, have punched above the weight ever since their promotion to the Championship.

The Postmasburg-based side technical team led by Henry Bassie have done a wonderful work with this bunch of young players. Lions, are not a star studded team but consists of dedicated and disciplined group of players. Its players like Pitso Tlotlego, George Valtyn and Katlego Cwinyane who will be a menace to the opposition defence with their rigorous style of attack.

Coach Bassie’s defence that is manned by Kamogelo Mogotlane, Morena Monaheng, and Jackson Dondolo have conceded lesser goals than their counterparts. They have conceded three goals after eight matches.

A series of losses have seen the Callies team dropped to the unfamiliar position on the table. Unless they can turn their fortunes around, it could prove to be an underwhelming campaign this season. The Romans are just based second from bottom of the table.

The Romans are a shadow side that showed glimpses of a gallant team last season. In last edition Callies completed the calendar on ninth position with a total of 39 points. Unless the Capital team players arrest the slump now than later, then a danger of relegation is looming for coach Kwanele Kopo’s ensemble.

After eight rounds of matches Callies have not won a single game. They have just acquired six points from six draws.

The burden, which should be a worrying factor to the Callies management. It]s still a mystery why Callies off-loaded their effective attacking midfielder Oswin Appollis and productive left back Tlou Nkwe who performed to their best abilities last season. Both stars were sold to Polokwane City and are setting the scenes ablaze at the Limpopo side.

They also transfer reliable goalkeeper Edward Maova to cross town rivals University of Pretoria. While, centre forward Dylan Stoffels and midfielder Athenkosi Dlala, were off- loaded to Cape Town Spurs and Maritzburg United respectively.

But, despite the setback, Kopo will be approaching the match with the aim of collecting the three points to move away from the bottom of the log. The manager will pin his hopes on the skill of newly signed striker Rankoko Tau.

The prolific goal scorer was signed from Venda FC. Tau will be ably assisted by Cebo Mchunu and Simnikiwe Mbonde. If Callies hope of winning against the host team then they will have to bring their all its armoury on Sunday.