PAK vs SA: Saud Shakeel turns crisis man to hit his second World Cup 2023 fifty

27-year-old left-handed batsman Saud Shakeel, with his 52, was the top scorer for Pakistan in their must-win World Cup 2023 clash against South Africa at the M Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai on Friday, October 27. Saud Shakeel along with Shadab Khan stitched a crucial 84 run partnership after Pakistan was reeling at 141 for 5 as Pakistan skipper Babar Azam got out after hitting a fifty.

In the mid-innings, Shakeel talked about how he backed himself and took more risks than before to help Pakistan post a competitive total against South Africa.

Pakistan were in a spot of bother after Babar Azam got out for 50 as they slipped to 141 for 5 in 28 overs. However, Shakeel and Shadab took the attack to the two South African spinners, Tabraiz Shamsi and Keshav Maharaj, in the middle overs to put the pressure back on South Africa. The two steadied the ship and made sure Pakistan had a total on the



board that their bowlers could work with.

"Early on it was a bit hard, the ball was slightly gripping, but I kept on taking my chances. Took a slight risk and was fortunate to get a fifty. I kept returning my strengths. I know my game. Early games I was getting the starts but not converting," Shakeel said.

Shakeel walked in to bat in the 26th over when Pakistan was at 129/3. Shakeel chipped in with a pivotal contribution along with Shadab Khan.

Finally, Shakeel edged one to De Kock off Shamsi's delivery in the 43rd over. He departed after adding 52 important runs to the team's tally.

Surprisingly, none of the Pakistani batters went past 52 despite getting decent starts.

South Africa's Tabraiz Shamsi was the pick among the bowlers with his four-fer, while Keshav Maharaj was hit for runs on a slow-paced Chepauk track.