Pakistan beat South Africa by two wickets to mark Faisalabad’s international comeback

Pakistan marked the return of international cricket to Faisalabad’s Iqbal Stadium after 17 years with a thrilling two-wicket win over South Africa in the first ODI of the three-match series on Tuesday.

The hosts chased down the target of 264 with two balls to spare to take a 1-0 lead in the series.

The second ODI will be played at the same venue on Thursday, November 6. Tonight’s result gave Shaheen Shah Afridi a winning start to his tenure as Pakistan’s ODI captain.

Chasing 264, Pakistan’s innings was anchored by Salman Ali Agha, who top scored with a fluent 62 off 71 balls, with five fours and a six. He received valuable support from Mohammad Rizwan, who made a total of 55 off 74 balls. The pair of Rizwan and Salman added 91 runs for the fourth wicket, while openers Fakhar Zaman (45, 57b, 4x4s, 2x6s) and Saim Ayub (39, 42b, 4x4s, 1×6) provided a solid opening stand of 87 runs to set up the chase.

Salman Ali Agha was named player of the match.

Despite a late collapse by South Africa’s bowlers, with Pakistan slumping from 241 for five to 263 for eight, Shaheen Shah Afridi and Naseem Shah held their nerve to see the hosts through to the final with two balls to spare.

For South Africa, Corbin Bosch (2 for 32), Lungi Ngidi (2-46), Donovan Ferreira (2-53) shared the wickets as Pakistan’s middle order was tested in the latter stages.

Earlier, Pakistan dismissed South Africa for 263 in 49.1 overs despite half-centuries from openers Quinton de Kock and Lhuan-dre Pretorius.

De Kock sealed his return to ODIs after a gap of two years with 63 and debutant Pretorius scored 57 as Faisalabad’s Iqbal Stadium hosted its first international match in 17 years.

Sent into bat, de Kock and Pretorius put on a 98-run stand, but Pakistan slowed as off-spinner Saim Ayub, who finished with 2-39, dismissed Pretorius and Tony de Jorzi.

Pace bowler Naseem Shah, who took 3-40, further rattled the visitors with the wickets of De Kock and George Linde as South Africa lost their last six wickets for 61 runs.

Skipper Matthew Breetzke tried to revive the innings as he hit 42 off 54 balls but fell to spinner Abrar Ahmed to end hopes of a bigger total.

Another debutant Sinethemba Qeshile scored 22 and added 44 for the fourth wicket with his skipper, while Corbin Bosch hit a quickfire 41 down the order.

Bosch was eventually bowled by Shaheen Shah Afridi, who led Pakistan for the first time in an ODI.
Abrar finished with 3-53 while Shaheen took 1-55.

Pakistan’s spinners and bowlers combined effectively, with Naseem Shah (3-40), Abrar Ahmed (3-53) and Saim Ayub (2-39) leading the attack. Shaheen Shah Afridi and Mohammad Nawaz chipped in with a wicket each to restrict South Africa to under 300.

The result gave Pakistan a winning start to the series and delighted the Faisalabad crowd who were watching international cricket for the first time since 2008.

Ratings in brief

Pakistan beat South Africa by two wickets at the Iqbal Stadium

South Africa 263 all out, 49.1 overs (Quinton de Kock 63, Lhuan-dre Pretorius 57, Matthew Breetzke 42, Corbin Bosch 41; Naseem Shah 3-40, Abrar Ahmed 3-53, Saim Ayub 2-39)

Pakistan 264-8, 49.4 overs (Salman Ali Agha 62, Mohammad Rizwan 55, Fakhar Zaman 45, Saim Ayub 39, Hussain Talat 22; Corbin Bosch 2-32, Lungi Ngidi 2-46, Donovan Ferreira 2-53)