Pakistan win last-over thriller against South Africa

FAISALABAD: Pakistan has claimed victory against South Africa by two wickets in the opening match of a three-match series at Iqbal Stadium in Faisalabad.

Following Mohammad Rizwan and Salman Ali Agha’s fifties, the Green Shirts chased down the 264-run modest target.

South Africa’s bowling attack made the chase hard as the home side knocked the winning runs with just two balls to spare, while losing eight wickets in the process.

Pakistan got off to a solid start to the pursuit, courtesy of an 87-run opening partnership between Saim Ayub and Fakhar Zaman.

South Africa spinner Donovan Ferreira made his team’s comeback by dismissing both the openers in his successive overs. Saim scored 39 off 42 deliveries, while Fakhar smashed 57-ball 45.

Pakistan then suffered another setback as Babar Azam fell victim to Bjorn Fortuin in the 20th over after scoring a mere seven off 12 deliveries.

After Babar’s dismissal, middle-order batters Rizwan and Agha launched a recovery by putting up an important 91-run partnership for the fourth wicket before Rizwan’s dismissal in the 39th over.

Following his dismissal, the Green Shirts lost three more wickets at an alarming rate, including that of another set batter, Agha, and consequently slipped to 252/7 in 48 overs, needing a further 12 runs from as many deliveries.

Agha remained the top-scorer for Pakistan with 62 off 71 deliveries, studded with seven fours and a six, while Rizwan made a 74-ball 55, featuring six fours.

Following the middle-order collapse, all-rounder Mohammad Nawaz scored a run-a-ball nine before falling on the third delivery of the final over. With one run still required, Naseem Shah survived an lbw scare off Bosch and ran the decisive run to steer Pakistan over the line.