FAISALABAD (Kashmir English): Pakistan thrashed South Africa by two wickets in the first game of the three-match One Day International (ODI) series at Iqbal Stadium in Faisalabad on Tuesday night.
Chasing 264, Mohammad Rizwan (55) and Salman Agha (62) showed grit at the crease, putting Green Shirt at the comfortable seat to win the match.
But South Africa’s bowlers made a comeback, making it hard for the home side to score a winning run as the last run came with just two balls to spare and two wickets in hand.
Apart from Rizwan and Salman, Saim scored 39 off 42 deliveries, while Fakhar smashed six boundaries, including two sixes, scoring 57 runs. Star batter Babar Azam fell victim to Bjorn Fortuin in the 20th over after scoring a mere seven off 12 deliveries.
All-rounder Mohammad Nawaz’s run-a-ball nine in the death overs were also beneficial for the team to clinch a last-over thriller.
For South Africa, Bosch, Ferreira, and Lungi Ngidi took two wickets each, while George Linde and Fortuin chipped in with one apiece.
Earlier, Pakistan won the toss, putting South Africa to bat first in the first ODI. Newly-appointed captain Shaheen Shah Afridi’s decision proved beneficial away as the Proteas managed to set a below-par total in 49.1 overs, thanks to a collective effort from Pakistan’s bowlers.
Abrar Ahmed and Naseem jointly led Pakistan’s bowling charge with three wickets each, followed by Saim with two, while Nawaz and Shaheen chipped in with one apiece.
This match marks the first international cricket outing in Faisalabad after 17 years. The last international match played at this venue was the ODI between Pakistan and Bangladesh on April 11, 2008.
A total of 16 ODIs have been played at this ground, out of which Pakistan has played 12, winning 9 and losing 3. South Africa has played 5 ODIs at Iqbal Stadium, with wins in only two of them.
The first match at the stadium will be played on November 4, the second match on November 6, and the third and final match on November 8.
The series comes after both sides have played a Test and a T20I series, which tied 1-1 and the home side won 2-1, respectively.
Playing XIs
Pakistan: Saim Ayub, Fakhar Zaman, Babar Azam, Mohammad Rizwan (wk), Salman Agha, Hussain Talat, Hasan Nawaz, Mohammad Nawaz, Shaheen Afridi (c), Naseem Shah, and Abrar Ahmed.
South Africa: Quinton de Kock (wk), Lhuan-dre Pretorius, Tony de Zorzi, Matthew Breetzke (c), Sinethemba Qeshile, Donovan Ferreira, George Linde, Corbin Bosch, Bjorn Fortuin, Lungi Ngidi, and Lizaad Williams.
Head to Head Pak vs SA
Total played: 87
Pakistan won: 34
South Africa won: 52
