Faisalabad (Web Desk): Pakistan opened their three-match ODI series against South Africa with a thrilling two-wicket triumph at Faisalabad’s Iqbal Stadium on Tuesday, chasing down a 264-run target in the final over thanks to composed half-centuries from Mohammad Rizwan and Salman Ali Agha.
The hosts were pushed to the brink by a disciplined South African bowling attack and reached the finish line with just two balls remaining and eight wickets down. Pakistan began the chase confidently as openers Saim Ayub and Fakhar Zaman forged an 87-run stand.
Spinner Donovan Ferreira then turned the momentum in South Africa’s favour, striking twice in consecutive overs to dismiss both openers and reduce Pakistan to 102 for two in the 18th over.
Saim made 39 from 42 balls, hitting four fours and a six, while Fakhar scored 45 off 57 deliveries with six boundaries, including two maximums.
Pakistan’s progress suffered another setback when captain Babar Azam fell cheaply to Bjorn Fortuin for seven, leaving the home side wobbling at 105 for three. Rizwan and Agha then steadied the innings with a crucial 91-run stand for the fourth wicket that appeared to put Pakistan in control.
However, Rizwan’s dismissal for 55 off 74 balls by Corbin Bosch in the 39th over triggered a late collapse. The hosts lost three more wickets in quick succession, including Agha, who top-scored with a fluent 62 off 71 deliveries adorned with seven fours and a six.
By the end of the 48th over, Pakistan were 252 for seven, needing 12 runs from the remaining 12 balls.
All-rounder Mohammad Nawaz added a brisk nine off as many deliveries but fell in the final over with one run still needed.
Naseem Shah, under immense pressure, survived an lbw appeal before sneaking a single that secured a dramatic win for Pakistan. Bosch, Ferreira and Lungi Ngidi claimed two wickets each for the visitors, while Fortuin and George Linde picked up one apiece.
Earlier, Pakistan’s new skipper Shaheen Shah Afridi won the toss and chose to field first — a decision that paid dividends as South Africa were dismissed for 263 in 49.1 overs.
The Proteas began strongly, with Lhuan-dre Pretorius and Quinton de Kock adding 98 runs for the opening stand. Saim Ayub provided the breakthrough by removing Pretorius for 57 off 60 balls, a knock featuring seven fours and a six.
De Kock carried on to score 63 off 71 balls, including six fours and two sixes, but his dismissal — followed closely by Tony de Zorzi’s — derailed South Africa’s early momentum and reduced them to 147 for three. Captain Matthew Breetzke and debutant Sinethemba Qeshile then rebuilt with a 44-run partnership before Nawaz struck again, dismissing Qeshile for 22.
That wicket opened the floodgates as the visitors collapsed to 228 for eight. Breetzke contributed 42 from 54 balls, while Bosch added late resistance with a 41-run knock off 40 deliveries before being dismissed by Shaheen in the penultimate over.
Abrar Ahmed and Naseem Shah led Pakistan’s attack with three wickets each, Saim picked up two, and Nawaz and Shaheen claimed one apiece.
Teams
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.