Pak vs SA 1st ODI: Pakistan beat South Africa by three wickets

Pakistan in pursuit of the 274-run target set by South Africa at Centurion easily hunted the mark by giving 4 wickets.

After such a slow start but a cracking century from Babar and after some twists and turns, it went down right to the last ball!

Earlier, the South African side by batting first set a target of 273 by losing 6 wickets for the guest team. The hosts scored 273 for six in the allotted 50 overs thanks to an unbeaten century by batsman Rassie Van Der Dawson.

Proteas got off to a good start but Pakistan hit back with wickets and reduced them to 55/4. Van der Dussen along with David Miller (50) rebuilt and put on 116 for the 4th wicket partnership. Van der Dussen (123*) scored a terrific ton and took the hosts to 273/6.

For Pakistan, Shaheen Shah Afridi, Haris Rauf took two wickets each, Mohammad Hasnain and Fahim Ashraf took one wicket each.

While batting Pakistans Fakhar Zaman fell early but Imam (70) and Babar Azam played well and put Pakistan on course. The duo put on 177 runs for the 2nd wicket partnership.

Babar Azam scored a ton but then Anrich Arno Nortje (4/51) turned the game on its head.

Muhammad Rizwan (40) got Pakistan near the finish line but there was another twist. 14 runs off 12 balls came to 3 runs from 6 balls but Shadab Khan fell however Faheem Ashraf finally got the win for Pakistan.

Earlier, Pakistan had won the toss and chose to bowl against the opponents.

The series is a part of the 2020-23 ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup Super League. It is the first ODI match for South Africa under the inaugural Super League. Meanwhile, Pakistan will play their first away ODI match under this Super League.