Bavuma Admits South Africa Could Have Executed Run Chase Better Against Pakistan

According to captain Temba Bavuma, South Africa was fortunate to escape with their lives, but they could have performed better in the runchase against Pakistan during this World Cup encounter.

In a nail-biting conclusion on Friday, South Africa was able to win by a mere wicket. Since the 1999 tournament, they have not defeated Pakistan in the World Cup.

Chasing 271, the Proteas got off to a great start with to Aiden Markram's powerful 91, but things went south in the last over as Pakistan claimed a quick number of wickets.

"It's evident that we were all on the edge of our seats toward the finish. At this post-match press conference, he stated, "You had everyone's opinions flying around as to how we should be going about that run chase."

"But in the end, Keshav and Shamu, the people who were inside, took care of everything for us. We find it simpler to talk to one other about our run chasing these days. We, however, are in control of the outcome.

"In my opinion, we could have executed the run pursue with much more clinical precision. I believe that we were fortunate. They were given chances to participate in the game by us. Fortunately for us, though, I believe the gods were on our side." The Proteas lost four more wickets by 260 even though they were 206 for 5 in the 34th over. However, Keshav Maharaj and Tabraiz Shamsi maintained composure to help South Africa win with 16 balls remaining.

Bavuma, though, believed that the partnerships could have lasted a little bit longer and refused to place the blame on the pitch.

"I thought it was a fantastic wicket, particularly once it ceased to swing. He remarked, "Quintin [de Kock] appeared to be seeing a beach ball, so he was going after his shots.

"I got myself organized. Quinton and I lost those early wickets together. A partnership between Aiden [Markram] and Russi [van der Dussen] began to take shape.

"Those collaborations, I suppose, were simply too brief to qualify as a clinical performance. And, naturally, that's when the panic seemed to kind of come in toward the end." South Africa's strength has always been their batting, particularly when they bat first, where they have typically amassed a total of 350 or more runs over the competition.

But according to Bavuma, the squad is still debating how to strengthen their batting lineup, particularly when chasing.

We're trying to figure out how to improve as a batting team. Hence, we don't regard it as a barrier. It's more of a challenge, though one that's certainly good to have when you're near the top of the tournament log.

Even though we've played well, I believe that we acknowledge that there is still room for improvement, particularly in the batting department. As we've discussed in relation to chasing, this probably extends to bowling as well.

"We haven't yet played our best cricket match or game. That, in my opinion, is encouraging for a club that is toward the top of the log. Bavuma also awarded pacer Marco Jansen extra credit for his clutch three-for-forty-three performance at Chepauk, where he has been able to make the ball swing even in difficult circumstances.

"The sphere is rotating. Marco, I believe, has realized it. He's been focusing a lot on wrist position, taking advantage of any available swing and seam. He still has control, but I believe he is free to go about looking for those wickets.

"And I believe they're collaborating effectively because they have someone like Lungi (Ngidi) as support on the opposite side who is also trying to take advantage of any openings or swings that present themselves.

"He's really becoming a weapon of ours and we'll take that any day," he stated.