![World Cup 2023 [WATCH]: Quinton de Kock’s smart review call sends Babar Azam back to pavilion – PAK vs SA](https://crickettimes.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/Babar-Azam-dismissal-vs-South-Africa-World-Cup-2023.webp "World Cup 2023 [WATCH]: Quinton de Kock’s smart review call sends Babar Azam back to pavilion – PAK vs SA")
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Pakistan are competing with South Africa in Match 26 of the ICC Cricket World Cup 2023 at the MA Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai. With their semi-final aspirations hanging in the balance, Pakistan need a victory in this crucial clash to keep their hopes alive in the tournament.
Saud Shakeel, Shadab Khan lead Pakistan to a competitive total
Pakistan, under Babar Azam‘s captaincy, chose to bat after winning the toss. The innings had a shaky start as Abdullah Shafique departed early, and Imam-ul-Haq fell shortly after.
Mohammad Rizwan capitalized on a dropped catch, playing aggressively to score 31 off 27 balls. However, he got out just before the drinks break.
Iftikhar Ahmed‘s promotion to number five didn’t result in a significant partnership, as he was dismissed for 21. Babar reached his third fifty of the tournament but fell to Tabraiz Shamsi after a successful review by skipper Temba Bavuma.
With the Green Team struggling at 141/5 in the 28th over, Saud Shakeel (52) and Shadab Khan (43) crafted 84-run partnership, counter-attacking effectively, playing a part in their side’s competitive total of 270 runs.
Also WATCH: World Cup 2023 – Muhammad Rizwan and Marco Jansen get involved into heated verbal altercation during PAK vs SA clash
Quinton de Kock’s brilliance behind the stumps
On fifth delivery of the 28th over, Babar attempted a lap sweep against Shamsi’s tossed-up delivery, but the ball took a faint edge off his gloves before settling into the hands of wicket-keeper Quinton de Kock. Strangely, the dismissal was not immediately confirmed, as Shamsi and de Kock seemed uncertain about whether the ball had brushed the edge of the bat or the wicket. However, the Proteas decided to go for a review.
The right-handed batter awaited the decision with an air of calm and confidence, seemingly convinced that it would favour him. However, the situation suddenly turned when the snickometer revealed a distinct spike as the ball passed the gloves. It was a surprising twist that left the 29-year-old visibly stunned. Babar returned to the pavilion with a numb expression, contributing 50 runs off 65 balls.
