In a dramatic first ODI at Boland Park, Pakistan beat South Africa by three wickets, with standout performances from Saim Ayub and Salman Ali Agha securing a hard-fought victory. The win marked a strong comeback for Pakistan after their recent T20I struggles.
Chasing a modest target of 240, Pakistan’s innings faced an early collapse, leaving the team teetering at 60/4 within 19.1 overs. Skipper Mohammad Rizwan (1), Abdullah Shafique (0), Kamran Ghulam (4), and Babar Azam (23) departed cheaply, casting doubt on Pakistan’s chances.
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However, the tide turned with Saim Ayub and Salman Ali Agha at the crease. Ayub, continuing his stellar form in his debut season, anchored the innings with a commanding 109 off 119 balls. Initially scratchy, Ayub managed just 31 runs off his first 57 balls, but a shift in his approach saw him regularly rotating the strike and finding boundaries, including a stunning six off Kagiso Rabada to bring up his second ODI century in just his third match.
At the other end, Salman played a composed knock, remaining unbeaten on 82. Known more for his steady accumulation of runs rather than power-hitting, Salman adapted brilliantly, turning singles and doubles into valuable runs and providing stability to the innings.
The partnership between Ayub and Salman revived Pakistan’s hopes, exposing cracks in South Africa’s bowling. Once Ayub departed, holing out to Tabraiz Shamsi off Rabada’s bowling, Pakistan needed only to keep their composure, which Salman ensured by seeing the team through to a memorable victory.
South Africa had their chances to seize control. Salman, on just six, edged Aiden Markram to wicketkeeper Heinrich Klaasen, but the chance was spilled, proving to be a costly miss. The Proteas pacers, who started strong, faltered in the latter stages of the innings, with Ottniel Baartman and Rabada losing their earlier control.
Earlier in the day, South Africa opted to bat first after winning the toss. The hosts started well, reaching 70/0 before Pakistan’s bowlers turned the game around. Salman Ali Agha, stepping in as a part-time off-spinner, wreaked havoc, claiming 4/32 and triggering a collapse that left South Africa struggling at 88/4.
Despite the middle-order slump, Heinrich Klaasen held the innings together with a determined 86 off 97 balls. His efforts helped South Africa post a respectable 239/9, but it ultimately fell short against Pakistan’s spirited chase.
The victory gives Pakistan a 1-0 lead in the ODI series, with momentum firmly on their side. The team will look to build on this performance as the series progresses, while South Africa will need to address their inconsistencies, both with the bat and in the field.
Salman Ali Agha Shares ‘Man of the Match’ Award with Saim Ayub After Thrilling ODI Win
In a heartwarming gesture of sportsmanship, Pakistan’s all-rounder Salman Ali Agha handed over his “Man of the Match” award to young opener Saim Ayub following Pakistan’s thrilling victory over South Africa in the first ODI at Paarl. Ayub’s brilliant century and Agha’s all-round heroics played pivotal roles in the team’s success.
“His knock set up the game for us. If he hadn’t played like that, we wouldn’t have won. We were behind, but he scored a hundred, and it was an amazing feat. Hence, he deserves the award,” Agha stated after the match.
Also See: Pakistan tour of South Africa, 2024 -25 (Full Schedule / Upcoming Matches)
Pakistan’s captain Muhammad Rizwan also commended Agha’s gesture, noting its positive impact on team morale. “Salman’s gesture really boosts the morale of the team. Moments like these highlight the unity and support within our squad,” Rizwan said.
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