Pakistan edge South Africa to take 1-0 lead in ODI

Pakistan survived a late scare to beat South Africa by two wickets in the first One-Day International at Iqbal Stadium in Faisalabad on Tuesday, taking a 1-0 lead in the three-match series. Chasing 264, the hosts reached 264 for 8 with two balls to spare as Salman Ali Agha and Mohammad Rizwan anchored a tense run chase that ended with a leg bye from Naseem Shah on the penultimate delivery. The second ODI is scheduled to be played at the same ground on Thursday, November 6.

Put in to bat after winning the toss, South Africa posted 263 all out in 49.1 overs. Quinton de Kock top scored with 63 and debutant Lhuandre Pretorius made 57, the pair putting on a 98-run opening stand. Corbin Bosch provided late support with a quick 41 but the Proteas lost seven wickets for 72 runs after the powerplay. Pakistan’s spinners and seamers combined to run through the middle and lower order, with Abrar Ahmed and Naseem Shah each taking three wickets as the visitors were dismissed just short of a competitive total.

Pakistan’s chase began positively as openers Fakhar Zaman (45) and Saim Ayub (39) added 87, laying a platform for the middle order. Babar Azam fell cheaply, but Rizwan and Agha steadied...