COLOMBO — Pakistan’s hopes of progressing in the 2023 ICC Men's Cricket World Cup were washed away in a rain-soaked Colombo on Friday, as South Africa secured a commanding 150-run victory via the Duckworth-Lewis-Stern (DLS) method.
The result, which saw the Proteas leapfrog India to reclaim the top spot in the tournament standings, officially eliminated Babar Azam's side from semi-final contention in a match defined by weather interruptions and South African batting prowess.
A Rain-Dictated Affair
The match at the R. Premadasa Stadium was always at the mercy of the elements, and the forecast proved accurate. After a delayed start reduced the contest to 47 overs per side, South Africa, having won the toss and elected to bat, posted a formidable 277 for 9.
Their innings was built on a composed 91 from their ever-reliable middle-order batter, Aiden Markram, and a blistering, career-best 75 from lower-order powerhouse Marco Jansen. When rain returned during the innings break, Pakistan's target was revised to 262 from 33 overs.
The Pakistani chase never found its footing. Losing early wickets and struggling to build partnerships, they were reeling at 120 for 5 after 23.3 overs when the heavens opened once more, this time for good. At that point, they were a staggering 150 runs behind the DLS par score of 270.
Jansen's All-Round Dominance
The match was a showcase for the burgeoning talent of Marco Jansen. The lanky all-rounder first played a crucial role with the bat, rescuing South Africa from a precarious 206 for 6 with a brutal assault on the Pakistani bowlers.
His 75 came off just 42 deliveries, a knock peppered with three fours and six sixes. He then returned with the new ball to dismantle Pakistan's top order, claiming the vital wickets of Abdullah Shafique and Imam-ul-Haq.
Reflecting on his performance, Jansen said, "It was one of those days where it came off. We were in a bit of a tricky situation, and I just tried to play my natural game. To contribute with both bat and ball is always special."
Pakistan's Batting Collapse
Faced with a stiff required run rate from the outset, Pakistan’s batting lineup crumbled under pressure. Only two batters managed to cross twenty, with Saud Shakeel's 52 being the sole score of note.
The South African pace attack, led by Jansen and the relentless Tabraiz Shamsi, kept a tight leash on the scoring. Shamsi, in particular, was instrumental in the middle overs, taking 4 for 60, including the key wicket of Babar Azam for 18.
The collapse was characterized by a series of poor shots and an inability to rotate the strike, leaving captain Babar Azam to lament the team's overall performance. "We lost back-to-back wickets and that cost us. We were not up to the mark in the first 10 overs with the ball or in the batting."
Key Moments That Sealed the Fate
Several pivotal moments swung the game decisively in South Africa's favor. The partnership between Markram and Jansen provided the late-order impetus that took the game away from Pakistan, whose fielding was also below par, with several dropped chances.
The early loss of Fakhar Zaman, who was expected to provide a flying start in the chase, was a critical blow. Furthermore, the dismissals of Mohammad Rizwan and Iftikhar Ahmed in quick succession effectively ended any lingering hopes of a miraculous recovery.
- South Africa's recovery from 206/6 to post 277/9.
- Marco Jansen's double-wicket maiden in the powerplay.
- The crucial rain break that left Pakistan miles behind on DLS.
Tournament Implications
With this victory, South Africa solidified their position as one of the tournament's most formidable units, returning to the summit of the World Cup table with 10 points. Their net run rate received a significant boost, further enhancing their chances of a top-two finish.
For Pakistan, the mathematics became brutally simple. This was their fourth consecutive defeat, leaving them with only 6 points from 7 games. Their elimination was confirmed, marking a disappointing end to a campaign that began with promise but faltered under pressure.
South African captain Temba Bavuma praised his team's resilience, stating, "It was a tricky wicket, and the rain made it a real stop-start game. But the boys adapted brilliantly. Aiden and Marco with the bat, and then the bowlers were just outstanding."
A Bitter End for Pakistan
The loss in Colombo signifies a premature exit for a Pakistani side that has historically been known for its unpredictability and late-tournament surges. Questions will inevitably be asked about the team's strategy, selection, and ability to handle high-pressure scenarios.
The campaign was a rollercoaster, but ultimately, their fate was sealed by an inability to close out games and a middle-order batting lineup that consistently failed to fire when it mattered most.
As the South African players celebrated a hard-fought victory under the Colombo floodlights, the Pakistani team was left to ponder what might have been, their World Cup journey ending not with a bang, but with the persistent drizzle of a Sri Lankan evening.