Pakistan pulled off a nail-biting two-wicket win against South Africa in the first ODI of the three-match series at the Iqbal Stadium, achieving the highest successful chase in the venue’s history.
Chasing 264, the home side finished at 264/8 in 49.4 overs, securing victory with just two balls to spare.
The match saw brilliant half-centuries from Mohammad Rizwan and Salman Ali Agha, alongside a strong collective bowling performance.
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Pakistan began their chase confidently with an 87-run opening stand between Saim Ayub and Fakhar Zaman.
Ayub scored 39 off 42 balls, including four fours and a six, while Fakhar made 45 from 57 deliveries, hitting two sixes.
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However, South Africa fought back through right-arm spinner Donovan Ferreira, who dismissed both openers in successive overs, leaving Pakistan at 102/2 in 17.3 overs.
Babar Azam then fell cheaply for seven, making the chase even more challenging at 105/3.
Rizwan and Salman Agha steadied the innings with a crucial 91-run partnership for the fourth wicket, but the lower order stumbled later, losing three quick wickets after Rizwan’s dismissal in the 39th over.
Pakistan slipped to 252/7 in the 48th over, needing 12 runs from 12 balls.
Salman Agha top-scored with 62 off 71 balls, hitting five fours and a six, while Rizwan contributed 55 runs from 74 deliveries.
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Mohammad Nawaz briefly held the chase together with nine runs off nine balls before falling in the final over.
Incoming batter Naseem Shah survived an LBW scare and completed the winning run, handing Pakistan a tense two-wicket victory.
For South Africa, Corbin Bosch, Donovan Ferreira, and Lungi Ngidi took two wickets each, while George Linde and Bjorn Fortuin claimed one apiece.
Earlier, Pakistan’s newly appointed captain Shaheen Afridi won the toss and chose to field, restricting South Africa to 263 all out in 49.1 overs.
The visitors started strongly with a 98-run opening partnership between Lhuan-dre Pretorius (57) and Quinton de Kock (63).
Saim Ayub provided the breakthrough by dismissing Pretorius in the 16th over, and South Africa quickly lost momentum, with Tony de Zorzi and de Kock falling in quick succession.
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Captain Matthew Breetzke (42) and debutant Sinethemba Qeshile (22) tried to stabilize the innings, but a late collapse, triggered by Mohammad Nawaz’s key wicket, ensured South Africa could not build a competitive total.
Abrar Ahmed and Naseem Shah led the bowling effort for Pakistan with three wickets each, while Shaheen Afridi, Nawaz, and Saim Ayub contributed one or two wickets apiece, playing a vital role in restricting the visitors and setting up a thrilling chase.
This win also marked Pakistan’s fifth consecutive ODI victory over South Africa, adding another feather to their impressive record against the Proteas.
The second ODI of the series is set to take place at Faisalabad on Thursday November 6, with South Africa looking to bounce back.
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Pakistan clinches victory
Pakistan chased down 264, winning by 2 wickets in a nail-biting finish. Naseem Shah and the team held their nerve to secure a memorable victory.
11:00 pm -
Mohammad Nawaz hits a towering six
Mohammad Nawaz smashes a six off Donovan Ferreira, taking Pakistan to 260-7.
Pakistan need four in the final over.
10:55 pm -
Salman Agha leads Pakistan’s charge
Salman Agha continues his solid innings on 55, guiding Pakistan to 241-5. Hasan Nawaz joins at the crease while Lungi Ngidi breaks through with a wicket.
10:40 pm -
Rizwan and Agha keep Pakistan on track
Mohammad Rizwan and Salman Agha add 76 runs together, stabilizing Pakistan’s innings at 181-3.
9:50 pm -
Pakistan rebuild with steady partnership
Salman Agha and Mohammad Rizwan stabilize Pakistan’s innings at 159-3. The pair look set to rebuild after three quick wickets.
9:25 pm -
Babar Azam falls
Babar Azam trapped LBW by Fortuin for 7, the Proteas maintain strong pressure.
8:43 pm -
Fakhar Zaman departs
Fakhar Zaman was caught by Fortuin off Ferreira for 45 runs. South Africa’s bowlers maintained pressure, removing both openers and giving his team a crucial breakthrough.
8:38 pm -
Saim Ayub falls
Saim Ayub was given out LBW for 39 off 42 balls after a review. Ferreira’s well-pitched delivery hit the leg stump, breaking the partnership at a crucial stage.
8:25 pm -
Pakistan openers off to a strong start
Pakistan began their chase confidently, reaching 34 without loss after seven overs. Saim Ayub and Fakhar Zaman provided steady starts, keeping the scoreboard ticking.
7:45 pm -
South Africa bowled out for 263
Naseem Shah ends the innings in style, uprooting Williams’ stumps with a clever slower delivery. The pacer finishes with three wickets as Pakistan restrict South Africa to 263.
6:55 pm -
Shaheen cleans up Bosch
Shaheen Afridi delivers a lethal yorker to dismiss Corbin Bosch for a quickfire 41 off 40. The left-arm pacer outsmarts the batter’s reverse attempt, knocking over the stumps in style.
6:44 pm -
Bosch fights back
Corbin Bosch shows resilience with a composed 37 off 36, but Pakistan maintain control as South Africa slip to 257-8. Naseem Shah remains sharp with two crucial wickets.
6:38 pm -
Pakistan tighten grip
Pakistan bowlers continue to apply pressure, reducing South Africa to 225-6. Naseem Shah leads the attack with two wickets, while Matthew Breetzke holds one end steady at 41 off 51 balls.
6:06 pm -
Pakistan fight back with double strike
Pakistan turned the tide with two crucial wickets as Naseem Shah dismissed Quinton de Kock for 63 and Saim Ayub removed Tony de Zorzi soon after. The hosts are clawing their way back into the game with sharp bowling and tight lines.
4:55 pm -
De Kock anchors South Africa’s innings
South Africa remain in control at 139-1, with Quinton de Kock well set on 62. The left-hander is timing the ball beautifully, while Tony de Zorzi is settling in to keep the momentum going.
4:40 pm -
Pakistan break opening stand
Pakistan finally found the breakthrough as Saim Ayub dismissed Lhuan-dre Pretorius for 57. Mohammad Nawaz pulled off a stunning diving catch at point to end South Africa’s solid opening partnership.
4:15 pm -
South Africa dominate early in the powerplay
South Africa maintained a strong start in the powerplay, cruising to 62 without loss after 10 overs. Lhuan-dre Pretorius led the charge with confident stroke play, while Quinton de Kock provided solid support at the other end.
3:45 pm -
South Africa off to a good start
South Africa began confidently in the first seven overs, reaching 36 without loss. Lhuan-dre Pretorius looked composed at the crease, while Quinton de Kock played the supporting role against Pakistan’s pace attack.
3:33 pm -
National anthem
The atmosphere turned electric as the Pakistan team stood tall for the national anthem ahead of the first ODI. Fans joined in with passion, creating a moment of pride and unity at the Iqbal Stadium.
3:00 pm -
Faisalabad welcomes international cricket
Excitement is at its peak as Faisalabad hosts its first ODI in 17 years. Fans have turned up in big numbers to witness Pakistan take on South Africa in a historic return to the Iqbal Stadium.
2:55 pm -
Head to Head in Faisalabad
In Faisalabad specifically, Pakistan and South Africa have met three times — the hosts winning in 1994 and 2007, while the visitors triumphed in 2003.
2:52 pm -
Head to Head in ODIs
Both sides have faced each other 87 times in ODIs, with South Africa leading the head-to-head 52–34, while one match ended without a result.
2:50 pm -
Pitch Report
Rameez Raja and Urooj Mumtaz expect spinners to dominate as the Faisalabad pitch looks bone dry with visible cracks. While Pakistan chose to bowl first, experts believe chasing might have been the wiser option based on past records.
2:44 pm -
Playing XI
Pakistan: Saim Ayub, Fakhar Zaman, Babar Azam, Mohammad Rizwan (wk), Salman Ali Agha, Hussain Talat, Hasan Nawaz, Mohammad Nawaz, Shaheen Afridi (c), Naseem Shah, Abrar AhmedSouth Africa: Quinton de Kock (wk), Lhuan-dre Pretorius, Tony de Zorzi, Matthew Breetzke (c), Sinethemba Qeshile, Donovan Ferreira, George Linde, Corbin Bosch, Bjorn Fortuin, Lungi Ngidi, Lizaad Williams2:35 pm -
Pakistan to bowl first
2:30 pm -
Breetzke praises Babar Azam
South African captain Matthew Breetzke said that Babar is an unbelievable player and, as he is coming into form, there would be pressure on him to keep delivering.
7:10 pm -
Shaheen Afridi reacts to ODI captaincy
Shaheen Afridi reacted to his appointment as Pakistan’s ODI captain and later to his removal from the T20I captaincy.7:00 pm -
Trophy unveiled
Pakistan captain Shaheen Shah Afridi and South Africa’s Matthew Breetzke jointly unveiled the glittering ODI series trophy.
It marked the return of international cricket to Faisalabad after 17 years.
6:30 pm -
Welcome to Live Coverage of Pakistan vs South Africa first ODI
Hello and welcome! We’re thrilled to have you with us as we count down to the first ODI of the series.
After levelling the Test series 1-1, Pakistan clinched the T20I series 2-1 against South Africa and are now set for the ODI series.
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