Rizwan, Agha shine as Pakistan beat South Africa in first ODI

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Half-centuries from Mohammad Rizwan and Salman Ali Agha fired Pakistan to a two-wicket victory over South Africa in the first ODI at the Iqbal Cricket Stadium, Faisalabad on Tuesday.

Chasing a modest 264-run target, the home side were made to work hard by South Africa’s bowling attack as they knocked the winning runs off just two balls, losing eight wickets in the process.

Pakistan got off to a solid start courtesy of an 87-run opening partnership between Sam Ayub and Fakhr Zaman.

Right-arm spinner Donovan Ferreira sparked South Africa’s comeback by dismissing successive openers as Pakistan moved to 102/2 in 17.3 overs.

Saim scored 39 off 42 with four sixes and a six, while Fakar smashed six boundaries, including two sixes, on his way to 45 off 57 balls.

Pakistan then suffered another setback in their chase when star batsman Babar Azam fell to Bourne-Forten in the 20th over, scoring just seven off 12 deliveries.

With the scoreboard reading 105/3 in 19.5 overs, middle-order batsmen Rizwan and Agha began a stunning comeback by putting on a crucial 91-run partnership for the fourth wicket.

Throughout their partnership, Pakistan looked set to cruise to a comfortable victory, but Rizwan’s dismissal of Corbinbush in the 39th over saw a shake-up in their chase.

After his dismissal, the Green Shirts lost three more wickets at an alarming rate, including another set batsman, Agha, and consequently slipped to 252/7 in 48 overs, needing 12 more runs from the maximum delivery.

Agha top-scored for Pakistan with 62 off 71 deliveries, studded with seven fours and a six, while Rizwan made 55 off 74 balls, which included six fours.

After the collapse of the middle order, all-rounder Mohammad Nawaz took the reins of Pakistan’s chase and scored a run-a-ball nine.

However, the left-hander perished on the third delivery of the final over, with one run still required.

Incoming batsman Naseem Shah saved an lbw scare off Bosh and scored the decisive run to drive Pakistan over the line.

For South Africa, Bosh, Ferreira and Lungi Ngidi took two wickets each, while George Linde and Fortwin chipped in with one apiece.

Pakistan’s newly appointed captain, Shaheen Shah Afridi, won the toss and put the visitors into bat. His decision paid off as the Proteas could only manage 263 before being bowled out in 49.1 overs.

However, South Africa had a mixed start to their innings as their openers Luhan Dre Pretorius and Queton de Kock registered a stand of 98 runs.

Sameem Ayub provided the home team with a much-needed breakthrough in the 16th over, dismissing Pretorius, who made 57 off 60 balls, including seven fours and a six.

De Kock was then involved in a brief 43-run partnership for the second with Tony De Zorzi before both perished in the space of six deliveries, taking the total to 147/3 in 27.4 overs.

The 32-year-old opener was South Africa’s top scorer with six fours and two sixes off 71 deliveries.

After back-to-back setbacks, skipper Matthew Bretzke and debutant Sanithamba Keshile (22) briefly steadied South Africa’s batting charge with a 44-run partnership for the fourth wicket, but Mohammad Nawaz dismissed the latter in the 34th over to deny the visitors a comeback.

Keschel’s dismissal sparked the defining end of the match, which saw South Africa lose four more wickets – including that of their captain Bretz.

Bretzke made a notable contribution to South Africa’s total of 54 off 42, including two sixes and as many fours.

All-rounder Corbin Bosch then added valuable runs to the back of the touring side, who delivered a cheeky 41 from 41 before falling victim to over 40 deliveries.

Abrar Ahmed and Naseem jointly led Pakistan’s bowling charge with three wickets each, followed by CAM with two, while Nawaz and Shaheen chipped in with a single.