ICC Cricket World Cup 2023: Points Table, Most Runs, Most Wickets after match 26, PAK vs SA

South Africa defeated Pakistan by 1 wicket in a thriller in ICC Cricket World Cup 2023.

South Africa have now stepped one foot in the semi-finals with a win over Pakistan at Chepauk Stadium in Chennai. South Africa have defeated Pakistan by just one wicket chasing 271 under lights in difficult batting conditions in Chennai. It was a nail biting finish at the end with South African tailenders winning chasing final 21 runs in 8 overs.

Pakistan’s chances to qualify for the next round now looks almost done as they lose their 4th consecutive league game. Pakistan had a poor stay in Chennai and lost two back-to-back games at this venue. Afghanistan also decimated Pakistan in Chennai on Monday. South African middle-order batter Aiden Markram played a match-winning innings to take South Africa to top of the points table with a massive hike in their net run rate. 

This is South Africa’s highest ever run-chase against Pakistan in ODI format. Batting first, Pakistan put up 270 runs on the board, South African pace bowlers had a wonderful outing in Chennai and picked up two early wickets. Carrying on with the momentum, South African pacers kept picking wickets in interval.

South Africa also had a few trouble while batting and lost their wickets but Aiden Markram kept the pressure on against Pakistan. Markam's fighting knock proved to be crucial for South Africa. South Africa had trouble at the end in their chase but Keshav Maharaj’s resilience at the end of the chase helped them win in crucial moments.

ICC Cricket World Cup 2023: Points Table

With a win over Pakistan in Chennai, South Africa went top of the table with 10 points in 6 league games. South Africa have got a decent net run rate due to their aggressive nature of play. South Africa’s net run rate is +2.032. India stand at second position in the points table with 10 points in 5 games and a net run rate +1.353.

Pakistan with a defeat against the Proteas stay at 6th position in the table. Pakistan are now almost out of the ICC Cricket World Cup 2023 with just three games remaining for them. South Africa are now almost a fixed spot in the top 4 with their magnificent run in the tournament. Australia will be taking on New Zealand at HPCA Stadium in Dharamshala on 28th October Saturday. 

ICC Cricket World Cup 2023: Most Runs 

South African wicket-keeper Quinton De Kock is still the leading run-scorer in the ICC Cricket World Cup 2023. De Kock did get a decent start against Pakistan in Chennai but he couldn’t conclude it into another big score. De Kock has smashed 3 centuries in the tournament so far and is at the top with 431 runs.

South Africa's Aiden Markram now made his entry with a 91-run knock against Pakistan. Markram is now 2nd with 356 runs. Indian top-order batsman Virat Kohli is 3rd on the list with 354 runs. Pakistan wicket-keeper Mohammad Rizwan also had a decent World Cup campaign so far and is 4th on the list with 333 runs. Australian opener David Warner is 5th in the table with 332 runs.

Top 5 leading run-scorer in the ICC Cricket World Cup 2023 

1. Quinton De Kock (South Africa) - 431 Runs

2. Aiden Markram (South Africa) - 356 Runs

3. Virat Kohli (India) - 354 Runs 

4. Mohammad Rizwan (Pakistan) - 333 Runs 

5. David Warner (Australia) - 332 Runs

ICC Cricket World Cup 2023: Most Wickets 

Pakistan pace bowler Shaheen Afridi marked his entry in the leading wicket-takers list with a bang. Shaheen Afridi with his spell of 3/43 now tops table. South African pacers had dominated the Pakistan batting lineup at Chepauk Stadium in Chennai. Marco Jansen and Gerald Coetzee had a terrific outing in Chennai and picked up 5 Pakistan wickets.

Jansen with his spell of 3/43 has now jumped to third place in the leading wicket-taker list with 13 wickets. Australian leg-spinner Adam Zampa also has 13 wickets under his name and is at second spot. New Zealand all-rounder Mitchell Santner is 4th in the table with 12 wickets, Gerald Coetzee picked up 2 wickets against Pakistan and he is now at 5th spot in the table with 12 wickets.

Top 5 leading wicket-takers in the ICC Cricket World Cup 2023

1. Shaheen Afridi (Pakistan) - 13 Wickets

2. Adam Zampa (Australia) - 13 Wickets 

3. Marco Jansen (South Africa) - 13 Wickets 

4. Mitchell Santner (New Zealand) - 12 Wickets 

5. Gerald Coetzee (South Africa) - 12 Wickets