Pakistan secured a thrilling last-over victory against South Africa in the first One Day International held in Faisalabad. The match showcased a strong performance from both teams, but it was Salman Ali Agha who ultimately led the charge for Pakistan.
Salman contributed significantly to his team’s success, scoring 62 runs and guiding Pakistan to a win by two wickets, with just two balls remaining in the chase of a 264-run target. Such a nail-biting finish highlighted the intensity of the competition.
South Africa, after being put in to bat, set a respectable total with solid partnerships. The opening pair laid a strong foundation with a 98-run stand before Lhuan-dre Pretorius, making his ODI debut, was dismissed after scoring 57 runs. Quinton de Kock returned to the ODI scene after two years and emerged as South Africa’s top scorer with 63 runs. Corbin Bosch also played a brisk knock, adding 41 runs in the latter stages, but ultimately, the team was bowled out for 263, leaving them with five balls unused.
Pakistan started their innings well with Fakhar Zaman and Saim Ayub contributing 45 and 39 runs, respectively. A crucial moment came when Mohammad Rizwan, who recently lost the captaincy, partnered with Salman for a 91-run partnership, leading the team towards their target. Rizwan himself scored 55 runs during his innings.
Despite a minor collapse, where Pakistan lost three wickets in quick succession, Shaheen Shah Afridi, the new captain, remained poised and guided his team to a successful finish. This victory marks a strong start for Pakistan in the ODI series.
The two sides will face off again at Iqbal Stadium, which will be hosting international cricket after a hiatus of 17 years, on Thursday. Fans are eagerly anticipating another captivating encounter.