On the back of a Babar Azam masterclass, Pakistan beat South Africa by 3 wickets on the last ball in a dramatic first ODI of the three-match series at Centurion.
On a day that produced two fine hundreds from Rassie van der Dussen and Babar Azam, the first match between South Africa and Pakistan felt like a rollercoaster ride as both the teams tried their very best to out-choke each other with unbelievably sloppy fielding and batting from each side.
Needing only 3 runs off the last over, Pakistan’s Shadab Khan went for the glory shot and got caught on the first ball of the over. For the next three deliveries, Faheem Ashraf couldn’t buy a run including one bouncer he copped on the helmet. 3 of 2 required, Phehlukwayo bowled the next ball slow and on length, Ashraf hit it back over the bowler’s head for a double. Ashraf then sealed the game with a single through covers off an outside off slower ball, greeted by a massive roar from his camp.
Before all this drama, South African openers started off briskly. Both de Kock and Markram went on the offence. Quinton de Kock took on Shaheen Shah Afridi and smashed him for 3 fours and a six. Shaheen did get his revenge as de Kock miscued a shot to mid-off. After his wicket, South Africa were quickly reduced to 55 for 4 in 14.2 overs.
In that critical situation, Rassie van der Dussen along with David Miller resurrected South Africa’s innings. Both put on a valuable 116-run partnership for the fifth wicket. Miller made quite an impact with his knock of 50 runs off 56 deliveries. Rassie van der Dussen displayed his range of shots and showed why he’s rated highly as he brought his maiden ODI hundred. He remained unbeaten on 123 runs, helping the hosts put on a respectable total of 273-6 on the board.
Chasing 274, Pakistan had a shaky start as they lost the wicket of Fakhar Zaman in the third over and were reeling at 19-1 in 8 overs. It was then, the ever-stylish Babar Azam started to get going. Azam put on an exhibition of breathtaking classical shots. Azam brought out the pulls, cuts, drives, sweeps everything from his armoury, and dominated pace and spin alike. Babar Azam brought up his 13th ODI century off 103 balls with a boundary. But his innings of highest class ended on the very next delivery of Nortje.
Azam along with Imam-ul-Haq who scored 70 off 80, added a 177-run stand for Pakistan. But soon after Babar’s wicket, things got spicier. Anrich Nortje was a man on the mission. The South African pacer bowled with great intensity and serious pace as he bounced out Imam-ul-Haq, Danish Aziz, and Asif Ali. Pakistan collapsed from 186-1 in 31.4 overs to 203-5 in 37.4 overs.
When it looked like Pakistan have done the same old thing of losing the matches from winning positions, Mohammad Rizwan and Shadab Khan stood up and stitched an important 53-run partnership and took their side closer to victory. But the twists and turns weren’t over yet. The visitors lost Rizwan when they needed 18 off 17 deliveries. Then they lost Shadab when they needed 3 off last over. In the end, Faheem Ashraf did take them over the finishing line but not before more drama.
With this victory, Pakistan are leading by 1-0 in the three-match series. The two sides will now lock horns on Sunday, April 4th in the second ODI at Johannesburg.
Match summary:
South Africa – 273-6 (van der Dussen 123*, Miller 50; Shaheen 2-61)
Pakistan – 274-7 (Azam 103, Imam-ul-Haq 70; Nortje 4-51)
