Proteas pip Pakistan in Chennai, but run-chase frailties still a major concern

South Africa survived a late charge from Pakistan to pull off a thrilling one-wicket win and move closer to the semi-finals of the World Cup on Friday.

Aiden Markram hit a solid 91, and at 206-4, South Africa were well on course to comfortably chase down a 271-run target.

However, it was left to the last pair of Keshav Maharaj and Tabraiz Shamsi to score 11 runs while surviving 11 balls.

Check your pulse our hearts nearly stopped ??We still can't get over it ????#CWC23 #BePartOfIt pic.twitter.com/w1blBGXoFF

Shamsi survived a leg-before appeal that went to umpire's call off fast bowler Haris Rauf with eight needed before Maharaj hit spinner Mohammad Nawaz to the square-leg boundary to pull off the win in 47.2 overs, sparking wild celebrations in his team's dressing room.

"Really happy, you play enough cricket to know sometimes it goes for you, sometimes it doesn't," said Shamsi, who finished on four runs.

Maharaj (seven not out) also added 10 runs for the ninth wicket with Lungi Ngidi (four), but Rauf took a stunning catch off his own bowling to send Ngidi back to the pavilion.

The win took South Africa top of the table with 10 points from five wins in six matches.

Pakistan, however, have lost four in succession after opening the tournament with back-to-back wins.

They have four points and will need results to fall in their favour if they are to sneak into the semi-finals.

"We had a very close fight and fought very well. We had an opportunity to win this match, but we missed it," said Pakistan skipper Babar Azam.

"We will try our best in our next three matches."

This was only the seventh one-wicket win by a team in all World Cups and second by South Africa.

Left-arm spinner Shamsi took 4-60 in Pakistan's 270 all out in 46.4 overs