Pakistan secured a nail-biting three-wicket victory over South Africa in the first ODI of the series in Paarl on Tuesday. Chasing a target of 240, Pakistan reached the finish line with three balls to spare despite losing wickets at crucial stages.
According to a report by Pak Observer on Wednesday, after an early blow with Abdullah Shafique dismissed for a duck in the second over, Saim Ayub (109) and Babar Azam (23) steadied the innings with a 44-run partnership. However, a collapse that saw three wickets fall for just 14 runs put the visitors on the back foot.
Saim Ayub and Salman Agha (82*), however, turned the game around with a match-winning 141-run stand for the fifth wicket. Even with a late stumble, Salman and Naseem Shah (9) held their nerves to seal the victory. Salman Agha’s all-round brilliance earned him the Player of the Match award.
For South Africa, Kagiso Rabada and Ottneil Baartman picked up two wickets each, while Tabraiz Shamsi and Marco Jansen took one apiece.
Earlier, South Africa opted to bat and were given a strong start by Tony de Zorzi (33) and Ryan Rickelton (36), who shared a 70-run opening stand. Despite Heinrich Klaasen’s fighting 86 and his crucial partnerships with Aiden Markram (35) and Marco Jansen (10), regular wickets restricted the hosts to 239/9 in their 50 overs.
Salman Agha starred with the ball as well, claiming career-best figures of 4/32. Abrar Ahmed chipped in with two wickets, while Shaheen Afridi and Saim Ayub picked up one each.
Squads
South Africa Playing XI: Tony de Zorzi, Ryan Rickelton, Rassie van der Dussen, Aiden Markram (c), Tristan Stubbs, Heinrich Klaasen, Marco Jansen, Andile Phehlukwayo, Kagiso Rabada, Ottneil Baartman, Tabraiz Shamsi
Pakistan Playing XI: Saim Ayub, Abdullah Shafique, Babar Azam, Mohammad Rizwan (wk/c), Kamran Ghulam, Salman Agha, Irfan Khan, Shaheen Afridi, Naseem Shah, Haris Rauf, Abrar Ahmed
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