Maharaj, Shamsi complement each other as team eyes semis berth
CHENNAI: Spinners at the MA Chidambaram Stadium are usually expected to steal the show with their tricks, but South African tweakers Keshav Maharaj and Tabraiz Shamsi grabbed the headlines not with their primary skill. While Shamsi had his moment under the sun with the ball too, the duo held on with the bat for the last-wicket partnership to help Proteas pip Pakistan by one wicket on Friday.
"I had my pads on for a very long time. I've never done a press conference about my batting. Really nice to be able to help the team with the bat," Shamsi said, soaking in the moment of victory.
On the other hand, Maharaj was pleased to get the match-winning runs, hitting Mohammed Nawaz for a boundary. "I think as a cricketer, you dream of winning moments. And it was one of those moments for me. I know how big the win is for the team. So, that's why I think the emotions were highlighted," said Maharaj.
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
10/10:Maharaj and Shamsi hold their nerves
Keshav Maharaj and Tabraiz Shamsi kept their composure to guide South Africa to victory in a tense finish.APSouth Africa, who were bowling first for the second time in this World Cup, made the right call by bringing in Shamsi. In their previous four victories, their batters had set up their wins. Even though none of their bowlers had been wicket-less before this match, the Pakistan challenge in Chepauk proved to be a crucial test for the South African bowlers, especially spinners.
Shamsi - a chinaman bowler - who was recalled after the Australia match in Lucknow, had a field day as he spun a web around Pakistan, claiming four wickets. Finger-spinner Maharaj was not at his usual best, but he remains one of the crucial cogs in the South African wheel. His ability to keep things tight at one end complements Shamsi's penchant for being slightly adventurous in search of wickets.
Maharaj, who has had a decent run so far in the World Cup with seven wickets, was happy to see Shamsi's hard work in the nets pay off. "Fortunately, enough, we have a lot of depth from the fast bowlers' perspective. It just shows the quality that we have in our squad and I'm especially really happy for Shammo. He's done an amazing job. He's done some really hard yards in the nets," said Maharaj.
Shamsi, too, knew the helpful Chepauk track was his chance to show his mettle. "Our boys up front have been doing a great job. Full credit goes to the guys that bowled before me. It was my day to take the wickets, but they obviously set it up," said Shamsi.
