Centurion: Pakistan defeated South Africa in the first ODI after a thrilling contest.
In the first ODI between Pakistan and South Africa played at Centurion, South Africa scored 273 runs for the loss of 6 wickets in the stipulated overs in reply to which the national team achieved the target at a loss of 7 wickets on the last ball.
Fakhruzzaman and Imam-ul-Haq started the innings but Fakhruzzaman proved to be the guest of only 8 runs after which captain Babar Azam formed a crucial partnership of 177 runs for the third wicket with Imam-ul-Haq during which Imam-ul-Haq completed half a century. He was dismissed after scoring 70 runs.
Captain Babar Azam once again played a brilliant innings showing responsibility, he was dismissed for 103 off 104 balls with 17 fours. Danish Aziz’s debut was disappointing as he fell victim to Enrique by scoring only 3 runs while Asif Ali was also the guest of only 2 runs.
Wicketkeeper-batsmen Mohammad Rizwan and Shadab Khan put Pakistan back in the match with a 53-run partnership. Rizwan was dismissed for 40 while Shadab Khan was dismissed for 33. For South Africa, Enrique Norkia took four wickets, Kagiso Rabada and Andile Fefelkayu took one wicket each.
Earlier, Pakistan won the toss and elected to field first. Aiden Markram and Quentin de Cock started the innings for South Africa but Shaheen Shah Afridi sent both the players back to the pavilion soon. Markram was dismissed for 19 and D Cock for 20.
South Africa captains Temba Bauma and Henrik Klaassen were the only guests for one run. David Miller and Rossi vendor Dawson solidified the team’s scoreboard with a crucial 116-run stand for the fifth wicket. David Miller fell victim to Harris Rauf after scoring a half-century, but Rossi vendor Dawson played a responsible innings to score his first century of his ODI career and remained unbeaten on 123 runs.
In the last overs, Andile Philfquayo played a 29-run innings with the full support of Rossi vendor Dawson, while Dawson remained unbeaten on 105 runs. Shaheen Afridi and Haris Rauf 2, 2 Muhammad Hasnain, Fahim Ashraf took one wicket each for the national team.
The South African squad includes Temba Booma (captain), Quentin de Kock (wicket-keeper), Aiden Markram, Rossi Vander Dawson, David Miller, Henrik Klaassen, Andile Fefelquayo, Kagiso Rabada, Enrique Norkia, Lingi Engidi and Tabriz Shamsi.
The national team includes Babar Azam (captain), Imam-ul-Haq, Fakhr Zaman, Mohammad Rizwan, Danish Aziz, Asif Ali, Shadab Khan, Fahim Ashraf, Mohammad Hasnain, Shaheen Shah Afridi and Haris Rauf. Danish Aziz is making his debut for Pakistan.