FAISALABAD: Pakistan beat South Africa in thriller by two wickets in the opening match of the ODIs at Faisalabad.
The hosts chased the target of 264 runs in 49.4 overs with two wickets in hands.
The openers Saim Ayub and Fakhar Zaman set 87 runs- stand before Saim Ayub was dismissed on well-made 39 runs.
He was trapped leg before by Ferreira. Soon after his dismissal, Fakhar Zaman was caught at long-on off the bowling of Ferreira again.
Mohammad Rizwan played a superb 55 runs knock. It was his 17th ODI half century.
He built up a 91 runs partnership with Salman Ali Agha before he was caught by Pretorius on a delivery by Bosch. Salman Ali Agha made 62 runs and remained the top scorer. Hussian Talat also made 22 runs.
Earlier today, South Africa set a target of 264 runs in the first match of the three ODIs series against Pakistan. The visitors, after having been sent to bat first were bowled out on 263 in the 50th over in Faisalabad. Pretorius and De Cock smashed half centuries with the 57 and 63 runs knocks respectively. Mathew Breetzke and Corbin Bosch were the other top scorers with 42 and 41 runs respectively. From Pakistan, Naseem Shah and Abrar Ahmed were the leading wickets taker with three wickets each.
At one stage, South Africa were cruising along with the run rate as their openers made a 98 runs-opening stand. On a good batting track, the target of 350 runs was looking likely to be set. However, Pakistan got back into the game when the bowlers in the middle phase , picked up wickets into the regular interval in the middle stage of the game.
Nasim Shah and Abrar Ahmed knocked out the South African middle order which restricted the host to total of 262.
It is worth mentioning that Pakistan and South Africa have a head-to-head record of playing 87 ODI matches. South Africa are way ahead in the head-to-head record with 52 wins. Pakistan has 34 wins to their names.
Pakistan had also whitewashed South Africa in a three matched ODI series during their tour to South Africa last year.
Ab De Villiers has been the leading runs scorer from South Africa with 1423 runs in just 32 matches averaging just under 60. Mohammad Yousaf made 1116 runs from Pakistan smashing two hundreds and nine 50s.
Waqar Younis has 58 ODI wickets against South Africa whereas Mkhaya Ntini picked up 49 wickets against Pakistan leading his side in the head-to-head contest.
Iqbal Stadium Faisalabad is hosting an international match after 17 long years.
