The internet is on fire with Keshav Maharaj's "Jai Shree Hanuman" comment after his winning runs against Pakistan

After finishing with respectable stats of 9 overs 56 against Pakistan on Friday in a World Cup 2023 match in Chennai, Keshav Maharaj may have thought his career was over. Although he was unable to take a wicket, the pressure he applied to the other spinner, Tabraiz Shamsi, caused the Pakistani batsman to attempt risky strokes, which ultimately cost them wickets. For forty overs during South Africa's 271-run chase, Maharaj appeared to have the right mood. However, everything took a sharp turn for the worst when Aiden Markram, under no duress from the asking rate, played an unnecessary shot off leg-spinner Usama Mir in the 42nd over. Markram was let go for ninety-one. In addition to missing a well-earned century, he put South Africa in a spot of bother.

They had three wickets remaining and now needed to score 21 runs off of 58 balls. It shouldn't have been too difficult, but South Africa lacks a robust lower-order democracy. Maharaj had to step up because he was the team's veteran and best option with the bat in hand out of the last three. He also did.

He witnessed two more wickets fall at the opposing end. Gerald Coetzee was removed by Shaheen Afridi, while Lungi Ngidi's fight was broken by Haris Rauf with a brilliant catch of his own bowling. On the other end, however, appeared Maharaj. Together with No. 11 Tabraiz Shamsi, he slowed down Pakistan's pace to assist the South Africans reach 271-9 and deliver the country its fourth straight loss in the competition.

Late in the game, Maharaj held his own against Pakistan's bowlers before he was able to drive left-arm spinner Mohammad Nawaz to backward square leg for the winning boundary. This move moved South Africa up to a better net run-rate in the points table, surpassing the host India.

He thanked God on Instagram after the game. "In God, I Trust what a special result by the boys, awesome to see the performances from Shamsi and Markram. Jai Shree Hanuman," He shared a picture of the victorious moment along with the message.

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A post shared by Keshav Maharaj (@keshavmaharaj16)

Before being bowled out in 47.2 overs, Pakistan reached 270 thanks to half-centuries from skipper Babar Azam (50) and Saud Shakeel (52).

*Bit of a chaos in the middle: Bavuma

Following the suspenseful conclusion, South Africa captain Temba Bavuma said, "It's a bit chaos at the moment, guys (are) enjoying it." "You are slightly happier if you are a South African supporter. It hasn't gone well for us to pursue. It will now be simpler to hold those discussions.

Bavuma was in control when the Netherlands achieved an unexpected 38-run victory over the Proteas at Dharamsala after he had recovered from the stomach ailment that had forced him to miss South Africa's previous two significant victories over Bangladesh and England.

One of South Africa's three lineup changes was Shamsi, a left-arm wrist spinner who took 4-60 and ensured that Pakistan could never escape by taking wickets of Shakeel and Babar.

With a high score of 91, Aiden Markram appeared to have guided South Africa to their sixth victory in the tournament however, Pakistan levelled the score when he was removed in the 41st over.

Usama Mir, the leg-spinner who came in for Shadab Khan after he suffered a concussion, started the scoring with a leading edge off Markram, then Shaheen Afridi (3-45) hit an outside edge off Gerald Coetzee to leave South Africa requiring 21 with two wickets remaining.

Then, with South Africa at 260-9, Haris Rauf (2-62) pulled off a one-handed return catch off Lungi Ngidi's leading edge. Maharaj and Shamsi then led their side to the largest run-chase in an ODI against Pakistan.

When South Africa needed eight runs to win, Rauf almost put Pakistan ahead, but Shamsi made it via Pakistan's LBW television referral.

Pakistan now has four points from two wins over the Netherlands and Sri Lanka and has lost four games in a row at the World Cup for the first time.

Babar expressed his disappointment, saying, "We fought back well, but we were 10-15 runs short." "We wasted the chance to win this game and advance farther in the competition. Let's see where we stand after the three matches. We will give it our all in the next three games."

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