The Pakistan vs South Africa 1st ODI delivered one of the most dramatic matches Faisalabad has witnessed in years, as Pakistan secured a nail-biting two-wicket victory under Shaheen Afridi’s leadership. This was the first international match hosted at the venue in 17 years, drawing a crowd of nearly 15,000 excited fans. The match went down to the final over, and the winning runs came with just two balls remaining. The Pakistan vs South Africa 1st ODI will be remembered not only for the thrilling chase but also for the strong team spirit that defined Pakistan’s performance.
Shaheen Afridi Starts His Captaincy With a Win
Leading the side for the first time in ODIs, Shaheen Afridi displayed calmness and composure. Remaining not out with four runs at the end, he guided the tail through the tense final moments. The Pakistan vs South Africa 1st ODI also highlighted how quickly Shaheen has adapted to his leadership role, using aggressive field placements and bowling rotations earlier in the match to restrict the Proteas to 263 runs.
Rizwan Proves Himself a True Team Player
One of the standout stories of the Pakistan vs South Africa 1st ODI was Mohammad Rizwan’s performance. Despite losing the captaincy, he demonstrated that his focus remains on the team’s success rather than personal position. Rizwan scored a valuable 55 off 74 balls, anchoring the middle order when Pakistan needed stability the most. His maturity was evident in the way he built his innings and rotated the strike, keeping the required run rate in control.
His partnership with Salman Ali Agha was a turning point in the match, as the pair added 91 crucial runs off 111 balls. Together, they pulled Pakistan out of a difficult situation and set the foundation for the successful chase.
Salman Ali Agha Shines Under Pressure
Another highlight of the Pakistan vs South Africa 1st ODI was Salman Ali Agha’s superb knock of 62 off 71 balls. His innings was full of confidence and clarity. Bringing up his seventh ODI half-century, Salman played spin with authority and paced his innings wisely. When he was dismissed with Pakistan just 12 runs short of the target, his contribution had already shifted the match in Pakistan’s favor.
Pakistan’s Chase: A Mix of Stability and Stumbles
Pakistan’s top order gave the team a strong start. Saim Ayub and Fakhar Zaman put up an opening partnership of 87 runs. Saim scored 39 runs off 42 balls, hitting a six and four boundaries before falling to Ferreira. Fakhar Zaman, returning to form, contributed 43 runs off 57 balls with two sixes and four fours.
However, the Pakistan vs South Africa 1st ODI took a sudden turn when Babar Azam was dismissed for just seven runs. His struggles against spin continued, and he was trapped lbw by Fortune. His wicket silenced the stadium, and a visible wave of concern moved through the crowd. At that moment, Pakistan was 105 for 3, and the match could have tilted either way.
Thankfully, Rizwan and Salman stabilized the innings. Hussain Talat added 22 important runs, while Nawaz, Saim Ayub, and others chipped in small but necessary contributions. Hassan Nawaz’s dismissal for just one run added unnecessary pressure, but Pakistan managed to stay in the contest until the final over.
South Africa’s Innings: Strong Start, Weak Finish
Earlier in the day, South Africa had a solid start to the Pakistan vs South Africa 1st ODI. Quinton de Kock, coming out of retirement, scored a fluent 63 off 71 balls. Partnering with debutant Luan d’Pretorius, who made a confident 57, the duo added 98 runs for the first wicket. De Kock’s knock included two sixes and six fours, while Pretorius hit a six and seven boundaries.
However, the middle order could not maintain momentum. Matthew Bretzke scored 42, and Karbin Bosch added a quick 41, but the rest of the lineup collapsed under pressure from Pakistan’s bowlers.
Naseem Shah and Abrar Ahmed were exceptional, taking three wickets each for 40 runs. Abrar nearly completed a hat-trick but was denied by a successful batting review. Saim Ayub also impressed with two wickets, while Shaheen and Nawaz chipped in with one each.
The Pakistan vs South Africa 1st ODI marked a memorable beginning to Shaheen Afridi’s captaincy and showcased Pakistan’s depth, resilience, and unity. From Rizwan’s example of selflessness to Salman Ali Agha’s steady brilliance, the match offered everything fans hoped for. With such a thrilling victory, Pakistan heads into the remaining matches with high confidence and strong momentum.
