FAISALABAD: Pakistan edged past South Africa by two wickets in the opening match of the three-match ODI series, sealing victory with just two balls to spare in a pulsating contest under the floodlights of a jam-packed Iqbal Stadium.
The win gave Pakistan a 1-0 lead in the series and marked a successful start to Shaheen Shah Afridi’s ODI captaincy tenure. Chasing a target of 264, Pakistan rode on crucial partnerships and nerveless finishing to reach 264 for 8 in 49.4 overs, after having earlier restricted South Africa to 263 all out in 49.1 overs. The match was a rollercoaster of momentum shifts, with Pakistan’s familiar middle-order collapse nearly derailing a well-paced chase.
Earlier in the evening, Afridi won the toss and opted to bowl first. South Africa’s innings began brightly, with Quinton de Kock and debutant Lhuan-dre Pretorius putting on a commanding 98-run opening stand. Pretorius impressed with a fluent 57 off 60 balls, reaching his maiden ODI fifty in just 47 deliveries. De Kock, returning to ODIs after reversing his retirement, anchored the innings with 63 off 72 balls, laced with six boundaries and a six.
South Africa’s middle order offered brief resistance.
Matthew Breetzke contributed a steady 42 off 54 balls, while Sinethemba Qeshile added 22. A late surge from Corbin Bosch, who struck 41 off 40 balls, lifted the visitors past 260. However, Pakistan’s bowlers struck at regular intervals, with Naseem Shah leading the attack with 3 for 40. Abrar Ahmed claimed 3 for 53, nearly securing a hat-trick in the 49th over—only to be denied by a thick inside edge from Lungi Ngidi on review. Saim Ayub, used as a surprise option, chipped in with 2 for 44, while Afridi and Mohammad Nawaz took one wicket each.
South Africa’s innings lost steam in the final phase, collapsing from 227 for 5 to 263 all out, losing their last five wickets for just 36 runs. The disciplined bowling effort set the stage for a chase that promised drama—and delivered it in full.
Pakistan’s reply began with a solid foundation. Fakhar Zaman and Saim Ayub stitched together an 87-run opening stand, mixing caution with aggression. Fakhar scored 45 off 57 balls with four boundaries and two sixes, while Saim contributed 37 off 42 balls, striking four fours and a six. The duo navigated the early overs with composure, reaching 50 in 9.5 overs.
However, Pakistan’s familiar frailty resurfaced. Saim was dismissed in the 16th over, followed by Fakhar and Babar Azam in quick succession, leaving Pakistan at 105 for 3. Babar’s brief stay yielded just 7 runs off 12 balls, and the pressure began to mount.
The innings was steadied by a crucial 91-run partnership between Mohammad Rizwan and Salman Agha. Rizwan, registering his 17th ODI half-century, scored 55 off 74 balls, while Salman compiled a composed 62 off 71 balls, his seventh ODI fifty. Their stand took Pakistan to 196 before Rizwan fell in the 39th over.
Salman continued to anchor the chase, adding 45 runs with Hussain Talat, who chipped in with 22 off 25 balls.
But once Talat departed at 241, a mini-collapse ensued. Hasan Nawaz fell cheaply, and Salman was dismissed in the 48th over, leaving Pakistan at 252 for 7.
With eight runs needed off the final two overs, the match hung in the balance. Mohammad Nawaz struck a vital six to ease nerves, before falling in the final over and Shaheen Afridi 4*, fittingly, sealed the win with two balls to spare. Nawaz was replaced by Naseem Shah at the other end.
South Africa’s bowlers fought valiantly. Lungi Ngidi, Donovan Ferreira, and Corbin Bosch picked up two wickets each, while George Linde and Bjorn Fortuin claimed one apiece. Despite their efforts, Pakistan’s depth and composure in the final overs proved decisive.
