The Pakistan National Cricket Team vs South Africa National Cricket Team Match Scorecard remains one of the most searched topics whenever these two competitive sides meet on the international stage. Pakistan and South Africa have produced thrilling contests across ICC tournaments and bilateral series, combining explosive batting, world-class fast bowling, and dramatic finishes. Their encounters often feature momentum swings that keep fans engaged until the final ball.
This article presents a complete match scorecard, batting and bowling performances, fall of wickets, match result, standout moments, major records, head-to-head statistics, recent meetings, and frequently asked questions. Whether you are looking for the full scorecard or want to understand how the match unfolded, you’ll find everything in one place.
Match Summary
| Match | Pakistan vs South Africa |
| Tournament | ICC Cricket World Cup 2023 |
| Venue | MA Chidambaram Stadium, Chennai |
| Date | 27 October 2023 |
| Toss | Pakistan won the toss and elected to bat |
| Pakistan | 270 all out (46.4 overs) |
| South Africa | 271/9 (47.2 overs) |
| Result | South Africa won by 1 wicket |
| Player of the Match | Tabraiz Shamsi |
This World Cup encounter produced one of the tournament’s closest finishes. Pakistan recovered from a shaky start to post a competitive total before their bowlers nearly defended it. South Africa eventually crossed the finish line with just one wicket remaining after a tense chase.
First Innings Scorecard (Pakistan)
| Batter | Runs | Balls | Fours | Sixes |
| Abdullah Shafique | 9 | 16 | 1 | 0 |
| Imam-ul-Haq | 12 | 18 | 2 | 0 |
| Babar Azam | 50 | 65 | 4 | 1 |
| Mohammad Rizwan | 31 | 27 | 3 | 1 |
| Saud Shakeel | 52 | 52 | 7 | 0 |
| Shadab Khan | 43 | 36 | 4 | 2 |
| Mohammad Nawaz | 24 | 24 | 3 | 0 |
| Shaheen Afridi | 2 | 5 | 0 | 0 |
| Haris Rauf | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Mohammad Wasim Jr | 7 | 8 | 1 | 0 |
| Usama Mir | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
Total: 270 all out in 46.4 overs
South Africa Bowling Figures
| Bowler | Overs | Runs | Wickets |
| Marco Jansen | 9 | 43 | 3 |
| Lungi Ngidi | 8 | 46 | 1 |
| Gerald Coetzee | 8 | 42 | 2 |
| Keshav Maharaj | 10 | 42 | 1 |
| Tabraiz Shamsi | 10 | 60 | 4 |
| Aiden Markram | 1.4 | 18 | 0 |
Pakistan looked set for a score around 300, but South Africa’s bowlers triggered a collapse by taking the final wickets quickly. Tabraiz Shamsi’s four wickets proved decisive.
Second Innings Scorecard (South Africa)
| Batter | Runs | Balls | Fours | Sixes |
| Quinton de Kock | 24 | 14 | 5 | 0 |
| Temba Bavuma | 28 | 27 | 4 | 1 |
| Rassie van der Dussen | 21 | 30 | 2 | 0 |
| Aiden Markram | 91 | 93 | 7 | 3 |
| Heinrich Klaasen | 12 | 19 | 1 | 0 |
| David Miller | 29 | 21 | 3 | 1 |
| Marco Jansen | 20 | 14 | 2 | 1 |
| Gerald Coetzee | 10 | 16 | 1 | 0 |
| Keshav Maharaj | 7 | 21 | 0 | 0 |
| Tabraiz Shamsi | 0* | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Lungi Ngidi | 4* | 3 | 1 | 0 |
Total: 271/9 in 47.2 overs
Pakistan Bowling Figures
| Bowler | Overs | Runs | Wickets |
| Shaheen Afridi | 10 | 45 | 3 |
| Mohammad Wasim Jr | 8 | 50 | 2 |
| Haris Rauf | 8 | 62 | 2 |
| Usama Mir | 10 | 45 | 2 |
| Mohammad Nawaz | 10 | 65 | 0 |
| Shadab Khan | 1.2 | 4 | 0 |
Pakistan’s bowlers repeatedly brought the game back into balance, but South Africa’s lower order held its nerve in the closing overs.
Fall of Wickets
Pakistan
| Score | Batter |
| 13 | Abdullah Shafique |
| 38 | Imam-ul-Haq |
| 86 | Mohammad Rizwan |
| 141 | Babar Azam |
| 206 | Saud Shakeel |
| 225 | Shadab Khan |
| 260 | Mohammad Nawaz |
| 260 | Shaheen Afridi |
| 260 | Haris Rauf |
| 270 | Mohammad Wasim Jr |
South Africa
| Score | Batter |
| 34 | Quinton de Kock |
| 67 | Temba Bavuma |
| 121 | Rassie van der Dussen |
| 187 | Heinrich Klaasen |
| 206 | David Miller |
| 250 | Aiden Markram |
| 260 | Marco Jansen |
| 260 | Gerald Coetzee |
| 266 | Keshav Maharaj |
The frequent wickets ensured that South Africa never completely controlled the chase, making it one of the most exciting finishes of the tournament.
Match Result
South Africa defeated Pakistan by 1 wicket.
It was the Proteas’ fifth consecutive victory in the tournament and strengthened their position near the top of the points table. Pakistan, meanwhile, suffered another heartbreaking defeat despite producing one of their best bowling performances of the competition.
Player of the Match
Tabraiz Shamsi
| Performance | Figures |
| Bowling | 4 wickets |
| Economy | 6.00 |
Although Aiden Markram‘s 91 guided the chase, Shamsi’s spell prevented Pakistan from reaching a much bigger total. His wickets of key middle-order batters changed the course of the match.
Key Moments
Babar Azam’s Half-Century
The Pakistan captain anchored the innings with a composed fifty after two early wickets.
Saud Shakeel’s Counterattack
His aggressive 52 shifted momentum back toward Pakistan during the middle overs.
Shadab Khan’s Late Flourish
Shadab’s quick 43 looked set to push Pakistan beyond 280 before the innings collapsed.
Markram’s Match-Winning Knock
Aiden Markram handled pressure brilliantly, scoring 91 while wickets kept falling around him.
Dramatic Final Overs
Pakistan reduced South Africa to nine wickets down, but the last-wicket partnership safely completed the chase.
Match Highlights
- Pakistan recovered well after losing early wickets.
- Babar Azam and Saud Shakeel stabilized the innings.
- Tabraiz Shamsi claimed four crucial wickets.
- Shaheen Afridi dismissed three top-order batters.
- Aiden Markram produced a match-defining innings.
- South Africa secured victory with just one wicket remaining.
Records Broken During the Match
| Record | Details |
| Closest finish for South Africa in World Cup 2023 | Won by one wicket |
| Markram’s highest World Cup score against Pakistan | 91 runs |
| Shamsi’s best bowling figures against Pakistan in a World Cup | Four wickets |
| South Africa’s winning streak | Fifth straight World Cup victory |
These records highlighted both South Africa’s resilience and Pakistan’s fighting spirit in one of the tournament’s classic matches.
Head-to-Head Record
| Format | Matches | Pakistan Wins | South Africa Wins | No Result |
| Tests | 30 | 6 | 17 | 7 Draws |
| ODIs | 84 | 33 | 52 | 0 |
| T20Is | 24 | 12 | 12 | 0 |
South Africa has traditionally enjoyed greater success in One-Day Internationals, while the T20 rivalry remains remarkably balanced.
Recent Meetings
| Year | Tournament/Series | Winner |
| 2023 | ICC Cricket World Cup | South Africa |
| 2021 | ODI Series | Pakistan |
| 2021 | T20I Series | Pakistan |
| 2019 | ICC Cricket World Cup | Pakistan |
| 2019 | ODI Series | Pakistan |
Recent contests show that Pakistan has been highly competitive despite South Africa’s overall advantage in ODI history.
Major Records
| Category | Record |
| Highest ODI Total | South Africa – 392 |
| Highest Pakistan ODI Total vs South Africa | 351 |
| Highest Individual Score | Gary Kirsten – 188* |
| Best Bowling Figures | Shahid Afridi – 6 wickets |
| Most ODI Runs in Rivalry | Jacques Kallis |
| Most ODI Wickets | Shaun Pollock |
The rivalry has featured legendary cricketers whose performances have shaped the history of international cricket.
Why This Match Was Memorable
Unlike many high-scoring modern ODIs, this game was defined by pressure. Every partnership mattered, and almost every over shifted the momentum. Pakistan’s bowlers refused to let South Africa settle despite defending a modest total.
The match also highlighted the importance of lower-order contributions. While star batters grabbed headlines, the calmness shown by South Africa’s tail ultimately proved decisive.
For neutral fans, it was a perfect example of why World Cup cricket remains so compelling.
Conclusion
The Pakistan National Cricket Team vs South Africa National Cricket Team Match Scorecard tells the story of an unforgettable ODI filled with momentum swings, exceptional bowling, and remarkable composure under pressure. Pakistan fought hard after posting 270, while South Africa demonstrated why they were among the strongest teams in the tournament by chasing the target despite losing nine wickets. Performances from Aiden Markram, Tabraiz Shamsi, Shaheen Afridi, and Babar Azam ensured this contest became one of the standout matches of the 2023 ICC Cricket World Cup. Even beyond the numbers, the game showcased the competitive spirit and enduring rivalry between two of international cricket’s most respected teams.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Who won the Pakistan vs South Africa World Cup 2023 match?
South Africa won by one wicket after successfully chasing 271 in a thrilling finish.
2. Who was the Player of the Match?
Tabraiz Shamsi received the award for taking four important wickets that restricted Pakistan’s total.
3. Who scored the highest runs in the match?
Aiden Markram was the highest scorer with 91 runs during South Africa’s chase.
4. What total did Pakistan score?
Pakistan were bowled out for 270 in 46.4 overs after several valuable middle-order contributions.
5. How close was the finish?
It was one of the closest matches of the 2023 ICC Cricket World Cup, with South Africa winning by just one wicket and only a few overs to spare.