Pakistan Win Thrilling ODI Against South Africa

Pakistan registered a three-wicket victory in the opening ODI against South Africa in Paarl on Tuesday (December 17). Saim Ayub (109) and Salman Agha (82*) played crucial innings to help Pakistan chase down a total of 239/9.

Pakistan's innings was not going anywhere at 45/1 after 14 overs, but Ayub brought up a 72-ball fifty and Agha took singles and twos to accelerate the run rate. A 20-run over from Ottneil Baartman got Ayub into the 80s and took Pakistan past 150 in the 35th over. Agha brought up a 61-ball fifty with a six off Tabraiz Shamsi before Ayub struck two fours and a six off Rabada to get to his second ODI ton.

South Africa clawed back into the game with Rabada finishing with 2-48 and Shamsi getting Shaheen Afridi bowled for an 8-ball duck. However, Agha released the pressure with a crucial six off Shamsi and struck a streaky boundary off Jansen to get Pakistan over the line with three deliveries to spare.

Earlier, South Africa got off to a good start, but Agha turned things around in dramatic fashion, trapping De Zorzi in front and rattling the stumps of Rickelton. Agha then had Rassie van der Dussen and Tristan Stubbs bowled in an over as South Africa slipped to 88/4.

Brief scores:

• South Africa: 239/9 in 50 overs (Heinrich Klaasen 86, Ryan Rickelton 36; Salman Agha 4-32, Abrar Ahmed 2-32)
• Pakistan: 242/7 in 49.3 overs (Saim Ayub 109, Salman Agha 82*; Kagiso Rabada 2-48, Ottneil Baartman 2-37) by 3 wickets.