Pakistan edge out South Africa in nail-biting first ODI

Babar Azam won the toss and decided to bowl first.

CENTURION (Dunya News) – Pakistan chased down the 274-run target set by South Africa in the final over of the first one-day international (ODI) at the SuperSport Park, Centurion. 

Asked to bat first, South Africa dealt early blow in the 1st ODI at SuperSport Park in Centurion. Within the 8th over, the hosts lost three big wickets in Aiden Markram, Quinton de Kock and skipper Temba Bavuma. But half-century from David Miller and maiden century from Rassie van der Dussen helped Proteas post 273/6 in 50 overs.

Aiden Markram and Quinton de Kock opened for South Africa. While the duo started slowly, de Kock soon got back into his rhythm as took on Shaheen Afridi. However, two wickets in one over from Afridi put the hosts on the backfoot. Both openers — Aiden Markram and Quinton de Kock were dismissed in the 7th over. New skipper Temba Bavuma soon followed as he departed in the next over, leaving South Africa rattling at 43/3.

While Henrich Klassen and Rassie van der Dussen tried their bit, the former was dismissed by Faheem Ashraf in the 15th over. Then on, Dussen and David Miller went on the rebuilding act. The duo’s 116-run partnership for the fifth wicket helped South Africa steady the ship after early blows. Dussen brought up his maiden international century off 122 balls while Miller was dismissed for 50. In the end, South Africa posted 273/6 in 50 overs.

During the chase, Pakistan lost an early wicket in Fakhar Zaman who was bowled out by Kagiso Rabada in the third over. However, Pakistan captain Babar Azam and opener Imam ul Haq steadied the ship with an unbeaten 75-run stand. 

Babar Azam said at the toss, “There’s a little bit of moisture in the wicket which is why we wanted to bowl first. Our plan is to get a good start. This is a very important series for us. The first game is crucial for us. We want to get the momentum if we want to win the series. We have three fast bowlers and a spinner in the team, one allrounder and Danish on debut. We will try to restrict them to 270-275.”

South Africa captain Temba Bavuma said, “I feel good. It’s a lovely day. Good day to be on the golf course. It’s the beginning of something. We would like to start off on a good note. We are looking forward to the times ahead and what we can create as a group.”

The first ODI between Pakistan and South Africa is the 80th 50-over contest between the two teams since they first faced-off in the format in the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup 1992.

The match is also the first time these two countries have come to play each other in international 50-over cricket since the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup 2019 when Pakistan won by 49 runs at the iconic Lord’s. 

South Africa: Quinton de Kock (wkt), Aiden Markram, Temba Bavuma (capt), Rassie van der Dussen, Heinrich Klaasen, David Miller, Andile Phehlukwayo, Kagiso Rabada, Anrich Nortje, Lungi Ngidi, Tabraiz Shamsi

Pakistan’s playing XI for the first #SAvPAK ODI.#HarHaalMainCricket #BackTheBoysInGreen pic.twitter.com/DOZ2gLVQtj

— Pakistan Cricket (@TheRealPCB) April 2, 2021

Pakistan: Imam-ul-Haq, Fakhar Zaman, Babar Azam (capt), Mohammad Rizwan (wk), Danish Aziz, Asif Ali, Shadab Khan, Faheem Ashraf, Mohammad Hasnain, Shaheen Shah Afridi, Haris Rauf

Umpires: Marais Erasmus, Adrian Holdstock (both RSA)

TV umpire: Allahudien Paleker (RSA)

Match referee: Andy Pycroft (ZIM)