By Asif Naveed
FAISALABAD; Pakistan clinched a thrilling two-wicket victory against South Africa in the opening ODI at Iqbal Cricket Stadium, Faisalabad, on Tuesday, thanks to half-centuries by Mohammad Rizwan and Salman Ali Agha.
Chasing a 264-run target, Pakistan faced stiff resistance from the South African bowlers and managed to cross the finish line with only two balls to spare.
Openers Saim Ayub and Fakhar Zaman set a solid platform with an 87-run stand before spinner Donovan Ferreira turned the tide by removing both in quick succession. Pakistan slipped from 87 without loss to 102 for two. Saim made 39 off 42 balls, while Fakhar scored 45 off 57 deliveries.
Captain Babar Azam could only manage seven runs before falling to Bjorn Fortuin, leaving Pakistan struggling at 105 for three. Rizwan and Agha then revived the innings with a crucial 91-run partnership for the fourth wicket. Rizwan scored 55 from 74 balls, while Agha top-scored with 62 from 71 deliveries.
After Rizwan’s dismissal in the 39th over, Pakistan lost wickets rapidly and found themselves at 252 for seven, needing 12 runs from the last two overs. Mohammad Nawaz contributed nine runs before being dismissed in the final over, leaving one run still required. Naseem Shah held his nerve and took Pakistan over the line after surviving an lbw appeal.
For South Africa, Bosch, Ferreira, and Ngidi took two wickets each, while Fortuin and Linde grabbed one apiece.
Earlier, Pakistan’s captain Shaheen Shah Afridi’s decision to bowl first paid off as South Africa were bowled out for 263 in 49.1 overs. Opener Quinton de Kock scored 63, while Pretorius hit 57. Despite a steady start, South Africa collapsed after losing both openers. Breetzke added 42 and Bosch chipped in with 41, but the rest of the lineup faltered.
Abrar Ahmed and Naseem Shah bagged three wickets each, while Saim Ayub took two. Nawaz and Shaheen claimed one apiece as Pakistan wrapped up the innings efficiently.
