NEW DELHI: Pakistan have been pushed towards the exit gate of the ICC World Cup after their one-wicket defeat in the edge-of-the-seat thriller against South Africa in Chennai on Friday.
The Pakistan bowlers staged a remarkable comeback to take five wickets for 54 runs when South Africa were on course at 206/4 to overhaul the 271-run target, led by Aiden Markram's 91.
That left South Africa needing 11 runs. The Proteas had five overs to do that but were just one mistake away from losing the match.
The controversial moment arrived when Haris Rauf was bowling to tailender Tabraiz Shamsi in the 46th over and the ball thudded into Shamsi's pads. However, the umpire turned down Pakistan's appeal for an LBW.
Skipper Babar Azam asked for a review. The replays showed Shamsi adjacent to the stumps when the ball hit his pads, but the ball tracking was not in the bowler's favour as the ball's trajectory showed it to be just clipping Shamsi's leg-stump.
The win put South Africa on top of the points table with 10 points from five wins, ahead of India on net run rate.
Former India off-spinner Harbhajan Singh was livid, expressing his anger over the rule on 'X' (formerly Twitter).
Meanwhile, Harsha Bhogle felt there's a need to explain the umpire's call again.
Replying to one of Harbhajan's posts, former South Africa captain Graeme Smith showed his soft corner for his team, while referring to an earlier DRS call in the match against South Africa's Rassie van der Dussen.
The victory, which came off a four hit by Keshav Maharaj against spinner Mohammad Nawaz, led to wild celebration in the Proteas' camp.
The defeat was Pakistan's fourth successive in the World Cup, after they had begun in fine fashion by winning their first two matches. They now have just four points in six matches.
1/10:World Cup: South Africa break Pakistan hearts with one-wicket win
PTI
2/10:South Africa edge past Pakistan
Aiden Markram's 91 guided South Africa to a one-wicket win against Pakistan.AP
3/10:Last pair heroics for South Africa
Keshav Maharaj and Tabraiz Shamsi scored the winning runs to seal a dramatic win for South Africa.PTI
4/10:Aiden Markram shines for South Africa
Aiden Markram's solid innings of 91 set the foundation for South Africa's successful chase.AFP
5/10:Pakistan's semis hopes in jeopardy
Pakistan's fourth consecutive loss put their chances of reaching the World Cup semi-finals in doubt.AP
6/10:South Africa top the points table
South Africa's win took them to the top of the World Cup table with 10 points from five wins.IANS
7/10:South Africa survive late jitters
South Africa managed to hold off Pakistan's late surge to secure a thrilling victory.Getty Images
8/10:Tabraiz Shamsi shines with four-for
Tabraiz Shamsi's impressive bowling figures of 4 for 60 restricted Pakistan to 270 all out.Reuters
9/10:Pakistan's Shakeel & Shadab provide resistance
Saud Shakeel and Shadab Khan's partnership of 84 runs lifted Pakistan's total after early setbacks.AFP
