Shaheen’s captaincy debut off to a winning start in Faisalabad

FAISALABAD: Pakistan kicked off the ODI series on a winning note as a collective team effort guided them to a thrilling two-wicket win over South Africa in the first match at Iqbal Stadium on Tuesday.

Chasing a target of 264, Pakistan were pushed to the edge before scraping through with just two balls remaining. Mohammad Rizwan and Salman Ali Agha played pivotal knocks after a steady start by the openers, helping the hosts take a 1–0 lead in the three-match series.

Earlier, Fakhar Zaman and Saim Ayub provided Pakistan with a confident opening stand of 87 runs, laying the perfect foundation. However, South Africa clawed back into the contest when spinner Donovan Ferreira removed both openers in quick succession. Saim scored 39 off 42 balls, striking four fours and a six, while Fakhar made 45 from 57 deliveries with six boundaries, including two sixes.

Pakistan’s chase wobbled further when captain Babar Azam departed cheaply for seven, leaving the side at 105 for three. Rizwan and Salman Ali Agha then steadied the innings with a 91-run partnership for the fourth wicket, putting Pakistan firmly back in control.

Just as it seemed the hosts would cruise home, Rizwan fell to Corbin Bosch for 55, triggering a late collapse. Agha’s dismissal soon after for a well-made 62 off 71 balls (seven fours and a six) left Pakistan under pressure at 252 for seven in the 48th over, still needing 12 runs.

Mohammad Nawaz kept his composure with a run-a-ball nine but was dismissed with just one run needed off the final over. Naseem Shah then held his nerve, surviving an lbw scare before nudging the winning run to seal the nail-biter.

For South Africa, Bosch, Ferreira, and Lungi Ngidi claimed two wickets each, while George Linde and Bjorn Fortuin took one apiece.Earlier in the day, Shaheen Shah Afridi’s decision to bowl first in his debut match as ODI captain paid off as South Africa were dismissed for 263 in 49.1 overs.The visitors began brightly, thanks to a 98-run opening stand between Quinton de Kock and Lhuan-dre Pretorius. Saim Ayub broke the partnership by removing Pretorius for 57 off 60 balls, featuring seven fours and a six. De Kock top-scored with 63 from 71 deliveries before falling to the same fate soon after, as South Africa stumbled from a dominant position.

Captain Matthew Breetzke (42 off 54) and debutant Sinethemba Qeshile (22) tried to rebuild but Pakistan’s bowlers struck regularly to keep the pressure on. After Qeshile’s dismissal by Nawaz, South Africa collapsed from 191 for 4 to 228 for 8.Corbin Bosch added a fighting 41 from 40 balls down the order before Shaheen wrapped up the innings in the 49th over.

Abrar Ahmed and Naseem Shah shared six wickets between them, taking three apiece, while Saim Ayub bagged two. Nawaz and Shaheen chipped in with one wicket each as Pakistan completed a well-rounded performance to mark a memorable return of international cricket to Faisalabad.