27-10-2023, 18:33
(This post was last modified: 27-10-2023, 19:04 by Ska'dForLife-WBA.)
Unexpected thriller unfolding in Chennai: after Pakistan collapsed to 270 all out and South Africa looked nailed on to knock off the runs with time to spare, they lost 4 middle-order wickets for 44 runs and now need 17 to win from 44 balls with Maharaj and Ngidi trying to carry them over the line, while Pakistan can wrap it up with two more wickets.
Wide from Afridi, 16 to win.
Outside edge from Ngidi, who runs a single, 15 to win.
Afridi finishes with 3-45 from his ten overs, and nearly had Maharaj caught behind off his final ball.
Ngidi runs a leg-bye, 14 to win.
Make that a couple; 13 to win.
And another, 12 to win. Pakistan need to conjure something from somewhere, this pair are ticking off the runs and not risking any glory shots.
Wide from Wasim, 11 to win.
Even a maiden would be gold-dust for Pakistan right now, just to pile the pressure on and mess with the batsmen's heads.
WICKET!
They pulled in the fielders and stuck a slip in for Ngidi against Haris Rauf, and he didn't like it one bit. First ball inside edge, second ball a loose drive, third ball caught and bowled off a leading edge.
Shamsi gets a thick outside edge on his first ball faced, picks up a couple; 9 to win. Into single figures!
Rauf sends one down the leg-side and appeals. It flicked the pad, but the umpire gives it wide... 8 to win.
Appeal for LBW, turned down but reviewed by Pakistan. Desperation?
Umpire's call! Agonising for Pakistan!
Another leg-side wide from Wasim, not what Pakistan need at all right now. 7 to win.
Maharaj plays into the offside, picks up a single, 6 to win.
Shamsi picks up a single to deep third, 5 to win.
Shamsi turns Nawaz into the onside for a single and brings Maharaj on strike, 4 to win. Last chance saloon for Pakistan.
Too late - Maharaj helps the ball through backward square to the boundary, South Africa win by 1 wicket.
Wide from Afridi, 16 to win.
Outside edge from Ngidi, who runs a single, 15 to win.
Afridi finishes with 3-45 from his ten overs, and nearly had Maharaj caught behind off his final ball.
Ngidi runs a leg-bye, 14 to win.
Make that a couple; 13 to win.
And another, 12 to win. Pakistan need to conjure something from somewhere, this pair are ticking off the runs and not risking any glory shots.
Wide from Wasim, 11 to win.
Even a maiden would be gold-dust for Pakistan right now, just to pile the pressure on and mess with the batsmen's heads.
WICKET!
They pulled in the fielders and stuck a slip in for Ngidi against Haris Rauf, and he didn't like it one bit. First ball inside edge, second ball a loose drive, third ball caught and bowled off a leading edge.
Shamsi gets a thick outside edge on his first ball faced, picks up a couple; 9 to win. Into single figures!
Rauf sends one down the leg-side and appeals. It flicked the pad, but the umpire gives it wide... 8 to win.
Appeal for LBW, turned down but reviewed by Pakistan. Desperation?
Umpire's call! Agonising for Pakistan!
Another leg-side wide from Wasim, not what Pakistan need at all right now. 7 to win.
Maharaj plays into the offside, picks up a single, 6 to win.
Shamsi picks up a single to deep third, 5 to win.
Shamsi turns Nawaz into the onside for a single and brings Maharaj on strike, 4 to win. Last chance saloon for Pakistan.
Too late - Maharaj helps the ball through backward square to the boundary, South Africa win by 1 wicket.
"I would rather spend a holiday in Tuscany than in the Black Country, but if I were compelled to choose between living in West Bromwich or Florence, I should make straight for West Bromwich." - J.B. Priestley