SA vs PAK (1st ODI) – Highlights
PAK staged a thrilling comeback to edge past SA by two wickets in the first ODI of the South African tour of Pakistan at Faisalabad. The match was a rollercoaster of emotions, with both teams showing glimpses of dominance, but Pakistan’s resilience under pressure proved decisive. Chasing a target of 264, Pakistan managed to cross the finish line in 49.4 overs, leaving just two balls to spare, thanks largely to a match-winning innings by Salman Agha, who scored a composed 62 off 71 balls. His ability to absorb pressure and rotate the strike kept Pakistan in the hunt when the innings appeared in jeopardy.
SA, batting first, set a competitive total of 263 in 49.1 overs. The innings was anchored by Lhuan-dre Pretorius and Quinton de Kock, who scored 57 and 63 respectively. Pretorius and de Kock added stability in the middle overs before Tony de Zorzi and Matthew Breetzke contributed with useful lower-middle-order runs. South Africa’s innings, however, was marred by inconsistent partnerships, and they struggled to maintain momentum throughout. Despite some late fireworks from Corbin Bosch, who scored 41 off 40 balls, the Proteas couldn’t accelerate enough to post a total beyond Pakistan’s reach. The South African bowling attack, led by Lungi Ngidi, Abrar Ahmed, and Corbin Bosch, did manage to pick crucial wickets, but at times lacked the control to prevent Pakistan from getting into the game.
Chasing 264, Pakistan got off to a shaky start as Fakhar Zaman fell for 45 in the early stages, and Babar Azam struggled to make an impact, departing for just 7 runs. However, partnerships between Saim Ayub and Rizwan, and later Rizwan and Salman Agha, laid the foundation for Pakistan’s chase. Rizwan, with a fluent 55, played a crucial role in steadying the innings after early setbacks, while Salman Agha’s measured aggression ensured the scoreboard kept moving. Hussain Talat chipped in with a quickfire 22 to keep Pakistan ahead of the required run rate in the final overs. The tailenders, Shaheen Shah Afridi and Naseem Shah, held their nerve to see Pakistan through in a tense finish.
PAK bowling was disciplined throughout the contest. Naseem Shah picked up three crucial wickets, while Abrar Ahmed also claimed three scalps. Shaheen Shah Afridi and Mohammad Nawaz applied the brakes at key stages, ensuring South Africa didn’t run away with the total. The team’s fielding was sharp, with important catches taken by Rizwan and Babar Azam that helped shift the momentum in Pakistan’s favor.
This first ODI victory sets a confident tone for Pakistan in the three-match series, highlighting their depth in both batting and bowling. The match highlighted the importance of composure under pressure and the value of partnerships in building a successful chase. Pakistan will look to carry this momentum into the next game, while South Africa will seek to regroup and find answers to break Pakistan’s resolve in the middle and lower order.
South Africa vs Pakistan Scoreboard
South Africa – 263/10 (49.1)
Pakistan – 264/8 (49.4)
Result – Pakistan won by 2 wickets (with 2 balls remaining)
Player of the Match – Salman Agha
Salman Agha
SA vs PAK Playing XIs
South Africa | Lhuan-dre Pretorius, Quinton de Kock (wk), Tony de Zorzi, Matthew Breetzke (c), Sinethemba Qeshile, Donovan Ferreira, George Linde, Corbin Bosch, Bjorn Fortuin, Lungi Ngidi, Lizaad Williams |
Pakistan | Shaheen Shah Afridi (c), Abrar Ahmed, Salman Agha, Babar Azam, Faheem Ashraf, Faisal Akram, Fakhar Zaman, Haris Rauf, Hasan Nawaz, Haseebullah Khan (wk), Hussain Talat, Mohammad Nawaz, Naseem Shah, Mohammad Rizwan, Saim Ayub |
Disclaimer: The following match highlights are based on the author’s personal insights and analysis. Readers are encouraged to consider these perspectives and form their own conclusions.
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