Twitter reacts to first close game of Cricket World Cup 2023 as South Africa beat Pakistan in a thriller

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

It was a thriller at the end in Chennai. South Africa have won a nail-biter against Pakistan and jumped to the top of the points table with 10 points in their six league games so far. Keshav Maharaj’s resilience at the end proved a game-changer for the Proteas in the game. South Africa were once cruising through their chase against Pakistan when Aiden Markram was present at the crease, soon after his dismissal, Pakistan pace bowlers made a valiant comeback in the game. 

Social media went crazy over the ICC Cricket World Cup 2023's first close game. It was a delight for the fans as South Africa found it hard to score final 21 runs in 8 overs. Babar Azam’s captaincy is also under scrutiny for giving Mohammad Nawaz an over when South Africa needed 7 runs in 3 overs. A lot of fans are questioning Babar’s lack of preparation for the final overs. Pakistani fans are also in shock after a close LBW call was turned down by umpire and DRS came in favour of the umpire's call.

Here's how twitter reacted to South Africa's thrilling victory over Pakistan:

https://twitter.com/GraemeSmith49/status/1717950687697580448

https://twitter.com/GraemeSmith49/status/1717951208122716172

https://twitter.com/mmbangwa/status/1717950449356345369

https://twitter.com/MichaelVaughan/status/1717950054508486988

https://twitter.com/irbishi/status/1717950415201816641

https://twitter.com/s_badrinath/status/1717949357541265731

https://twitter.com/mmbangwa/status/1717950759726362817

https://twitter.com/s_badrinath/status/1717952285899460935

https://twitter.com/anilkumble1074/status/1717952642356256813

https://twitter.com/robbieuthappa/status/1717952830093627572

https://twitter.com/s_badrinath/status/1717952843809001939

https://twitter.com/REALsaeedajmal/status/1717953297364168963

https://twitter.com/mmbangwa/status/1717954207951851641

https://twitter.com/WahabViki/status/1717956495701115384

https://twitter.com/GraemeSmith49/status/1717958537379459133

https://twitter.com/KrosaniTy/status/1717953362115924164

https://twitter.com/Shebas_10dulkar/status/1717950963410243616

https://twitter.com/abhithecomic/status/1717950463734329513

https://twitter.com/iamamirofficial/status/1717951192914170338

https://twitter.com/ashaqeens/status/1717952688858829252

https://twitter.com/DrNaumanNiaz/status/1717951599275118949

https://twitter.com/ImTanujSingh/status/1717959152541339706

https://twitter.com/bhogleharsha/status/1717950331093749816

Nail-biting finish at Chepauk

Pakistan captain Babar Azam won the toss and elected to bat first. Pakistan posted 270 runs on the board. Pakistan’s top-order had a poor start as openers departed early against Marco Jansen. He dismissed Abdullah Shafique (9) and Imam-ul-Haq (12) both inside the first powerplay. Captain Babar Azam scored a half-century and lost his wicket on a controversial call. Later on, Saud Shakeel (52) and Shadab Khan (43) took the team to a comfortable position in their innings. 

Marco Jansen picked up 3 wickets in his 9 overs while Gerald Coetzee picked up 2 in his spell. Tabraiz Shamsi was the star of the day with his spell of 4/60 in 10 overs. South Africa also had a troubled start with Quinton De Kock (24) and Temba Bavuma (28) departing early chasing 271. Shaheen Afridi and Mohammad Waseem had terrific opening spells and dismissed both. Aiden Markram took the charge in the innings and went on to play a match-winning knock. 

Aiden Markram was dismissed on 91 when South Africa needed 21 runs in 10 overs. This wicket made a big impact on the game and put the South African camp amid tension. South African tailenders went through a fabulous spell of pace bowling from Shaheen Afridi (3/43), Haris Rauf (2/62) and Mohammad Waseem Jnr. (2/50). Keshav Maharaj weathered the storm against pacers and seized the opportunity with a wonderful strike against spinner Mohammad Nawaz.