South Africa’s recent victory over Pakistan in Chennai has surely caught the attention of their remaining opponents in the men’s World Cup. Historically, when South Africa found themselves at 250/8 in the 42nd over, chasing 271 with none of their recognized batsmen at the crease, it often signaled the end for them.
This scenario was reminiscent of their match in Dharamsala just 10 days prior when they faltered, scoring only 207 while chasing 246 to defeat the Netherlands. However, what South Africa achieved at Chepauk could be described as atypical for the team.
Keshav Maharaj, known for his aggressive batting in such situations, displayed remarkable composure as he remained unbeaten with seven runs off 21 balls. Lungi Ngidi was dismissed for a mere four runs off 14 balls, courtesy of a stunning return catch by Haris Rauf. Tabraiz Shamsi, typically a No. 11 batsman, fought hard and survived, contributing four not out off six deliveries.
South Africa’s lower-order batsmen defied bowlers of the caliber of Rauf and Shaheen Afridi to secure a one-wicket victory with 16 balls to spare. This win marked their fifth victory in six games, temporarily propelling them to the top of the standings ahead of India.
Maharaj commented on their approach, stating, “When you have 40 balls to score 16 runs, you don’t have to take risks. I put my trust in my partners. I was just trying to absorb as much of the pressure as I could. I knew if we batted for 50 overs, we would reach the target.”
However, observers noted a change in Maharaj’s approach. In the past, he might have opted for aggressive shots to finish the game quickly, sometimes leading to his dismissal. When asked about this transformation, Maharaj admitted, “I did fight temptation now and then, but there’s a bigger picture to everything. I’m trying to mature as a cricketer. When you need 16 off 40, the percentages are in your favor.”
This match marked the first time South Africa won an ODI while chasing when Maharaj, Ngidi, or Shamsi had to bat. Previously, they had lost nine games when Maharaj was at the crease, 11 with Ngidi, and nine with Shamsi. However, collectively, they remained unbeaten 14 times in those 29 innings. On most occasions, when they came to bat, it signaled a looming defeat.
So, did Maharaj truly believe that he, Ngidi, and Shamsi could secure the win? He replied, “It would be easy for me to stand here and lie to you guys, but I genuinely did. Especially Lungi; he has shown that he could stick around. ‘Shammo’ and I have played a lot of cricket together, and I know he’s pretty much like me when it comes to the hamster running in the head. But I’m glad he held his nerve and kept it simple. He said to me he’s seeing the ball big. I was like, ‘OK son, you go then.'”
Maharaj ultimately secured the victory with a swept four off Mohammad Nawaz, and he celebrated the win with great enthusiasm. He recognized the significance of the win for the team and explained, “As a cricketer, you dream of winning moments in what is not your chosen skill. It was one of those moments. I know how big the win is for the team. That’s why my emotions were heightened probably more than they should have been.”
Maharaj wasn’t part of the squad that suffered a disappointing performance at the 2019 World Cup, where South Africa lost five of their eight completed games. However, he understood how those players must have felt. He commented, “It shows how far we’ve come as a unit in the last four years, the character and depth we have in our lineup.”
Tabraiz Shamsi, who had taken 4/60, echoed Maharaj’s sentiments, stating, “The bowlers were always going to target our stumps as the ball was reversing. The clear gameplan was to get forward and put the bat in the way, and we knew that eventually we would get the runs.”
Shamsi humorously added that despite his impressive performance with the ball, most of the questions he faced were about his batting. He even hinted at the possibility of batting higher up the order in the future, saying, “Lungi and I have always argued about that. I’ll just have to put my head down and accept it for now, but a couple more of those, and I’m definitely going to be in his ear again.”
South Africa’s gritty performance against Pakistan has drawn comparisons with their rugby union counterparts, the Springboks, who recently won the Rugby World Cup with a one-point margin. However, cricket and rugby present different challenges. Cricket demands patience and strategy over long periods, while rugby often requires split-second decisions under intense pressure.
In cricket, one mistake can lead to a series of errors, while in rugby, there’s a chance for redemption with every scrum or lineout. South Africa’s ability to channel their determination in the face of adversity, much like their rugby team, may be crucial in the remainder of the World Cup.
South Africa’s performance against Pakistan has undoubtedly sent a message to their upcoming opponents, including New Zealand, India, and Afghanistan, who will need to bring their best to face this resilient South African side.
