‘On the edge of our seats’: Bavuma relieved after heart-stopping victory

The Proteas players were as nervous as their supporters in the dying moments of the game, captain Temba Bavuma admitted, after they narrowly held on to beat Pakistan by one wicket at the Cricket World Cup in Chennai on Friday.

Chasing 271 to win against the former champions, the SA team nearly ran out of wickets but they managed to hold on, ultimately reaching 271/9 with 16 balls to spare.

In a nail-biting contest, South Africa were left needing 21 runs with just two wickets in hand in the 42nd over, but the lower order managed to carry them home.

The last four batters faced 54 deliveries between them to keep the tail wagging under pressure, with Keshav Maharaj standing up to 21 balls before hitting the winning runs with a boundary in the 48th over.

“We were all on the edge of our seats,” Bavuma said after the game.

“I think you had everyone’s opinions flying around as to how we should be going about that run chase. But at the end of the day, the guys who were in there, Keshav and [last man in Tabraz Shamsi], they did it for us.

“Look, it’s easier for us to have conversations now with regards to our run chase. We’ve got the result on our side.”

Run chase

Bavuma conceded that they hadn’t been as calculated as they could have been in their run chase, after the bowling attack had done well to restrict Pakistan to 270 runs.

He was nonetheless delighted to secure another two points, admittedly having some luck on their side, in the race for the World Cup playoffs.

With most of their wins at the World Cup having been achieved batting first, Bavuma was relieved to see his side securing victory batting second.

“I do think we could have shown a lot more of a clinical display in going about that run chase,” the skipper said.

“I also think we had luck on our side. We did give them opportunities to get into the game, but fortunately for us, I think the gods were with us.

“But like I said, it’s easier now for us to have those conversations regarding our blueprint and how we want to go about those run chases.”

Table toppers

With their latest win, South Africa climbed to the top of the round-robin standings in the opening round of the global showpiece.

While they were equal on 10 points with India, however, and narrowly ahead on net run-rate, the unbeaten hosts held a game in hand.

The Proteas will next face New Zealand in Pune on Wednesday, in their quest to earn a place in the semi-finals.