While some supporters criticized the Pakistan cricket team, the rest of the cricketing community gushed over Aiden Markram's exceptional century and Temba Bavuma's valiant half-century with an injured hamstring during the WTC final against Australia. They requested an "apology" from the Pakistani players for "disrespecting" South Africa's Temba Bavuma. But why? The final of the WTC was being held at Lord's between Australia and South Africa. Pakistan, who is not currently engaged in any international matches, played no part in it. Why, then, did the Pakistan cricket team become a target after Temba Bavuma and Aiden Markram formed an unbroken third-wicket partnership that brought South Africa closer to winning their first WTC title? The answer can be found in what happened in Karachi this February.

After Temba Bavuma was run out due to a mix-up in the last league match of the tri-nation series, which involved Pakistan, South Africa, and New Zealand, the Pakistani players gave the South African captain a rude send-off. Bavuma, who was batting on 82, drove a ball to the off side in the 29th over of South Africa's innings and sprinted for a fast single. Although Matthew Breetzke answered the call, he canceled at the last second, leaving Bavuma stuck in the center of the field. Saud Shakeel gathered the ball and made a swift throw at the hitter's end. After losing their second wicket, which ended their 119-run partnership, Bavuma was nowhere near coming back.

Following the breakthrough, the Pakistan players were fired up, with Kamran Ghulam running directly in front of Bavuma to celebrate, accompanied by Shakeel and Salman Agha. Bavuma was compelled to pause on his route back to the pavilion by the raucous festivities before the Pakistani players stepped aside for him. The umpires were not pleased with the action and promptly called Rizwan, which led to a protracted conversation.

Fans demand an apology from Pakistan

The Pakistan players were heavily criticised on social media for their unnecessary send-off to Bavuma. And it appears that the fans haven't quite moved on. The same video of Pakistan's animated celebration resurfaced four months later on Friday.

Markram, the opener, took advantage of the perfect batting conditions, and Bavuma heightened the suspense by showing signs of a painful left hamstring. With one of Australia's best bowling attacks, they teamed up for an unbroken 143 runs to put South Africa just 69 runs away from a momentous victory.

In a thrilling attempt to capture their first ICC trophy in 27 years, the Proteas finished day three of their chase for 282 at 213-2.

Markram's 102 not out from 159 balls was the highest individual score of the final, while Bavuma's 65 not out from 121 balls showed excellent batting technique despite limited running.

The reigning champion, Australia, unleashed four of its top 10 all-time test wicket-takers—who had taken over 1,500 wickets total—but was unable to separate the Proteas duo and hardly disturbed them.

The pitch on day three flattened, provided the bowlers little, and was considerably more easily paced than the first two tumultuous days in which 14 wickets fell on each, which was highly advantageous to South Africa. Friday saw the fall of just four wickets, with no wickets falling after tea.

However, South Africa will not be able to sleep soundly. The men's team has a tragic history of squandered victory in ICC tournaments. This explains why the ICC Knock Out from 1998 is its sole ICC trophy.

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