Pakistan marked the return of international cricket to Faisalabad’s Iqbal Stadium after 17 years with a thrilling two-wicket win over South Africa in the first ODI of the three-match series on Tuesday. 

The home side achieved the target of 264 with two balls to spare to take a 1-0 lead in the series.

The second ODI will take place at the same venue on Thursday, 6 November. Tonight’s result gave Shaheen Shah Afridi a winning start to his tenure as Pakistan’s ODI captain.

Chasing 264, Pakistan’s innings was anchored by Salman Ali Agha, who top-scored with a fluent 62 off 71 balls, featuring five fours and a six. He received valuable support from Mohammad Rizwan, who made a composed 55 off 74 balls. The pair of Rizwan and Salman added 91 runs for the fourth wicket, while openers Fakhar Zaman (45, 57b, 4x4s, 2x6s) and Saim Ayub (39, 42b, 4x4s, 1×6) provided a solid 87-run opening stand to set up the chase.

Salman Ali Agha was declared the Player of the match.

Despite a late collapse triggered by South Africa’s bowlers, with Pakistan slipping from 241 for five to 263 for eight, Shaheen Shah Afridi and Naseem Shah held their nerve to see the hosts home in the final over with two balls to spare.

For South Africa, Corbin Bosch (2 for 32), Lungi Ngidi (2-46), Donovan Ferreira (2-53) shared the wickets as Pakistan’s middle order was tested in the closing stages.

Earlier, Pakistan dismissed South Africa for 263 in 49.1 overs despite half-centuries from openers Quinton de Kock and Lhuan-dre Pretorius.

De Kock capped his return to ODIs after a two-year gap with a knock of 63 and debutant Pretorius scored 57 as Faisalabad’s Iqbal Stadium staged its first international match in 17 years.

Sent in to bat, De Kock and Pretorius put on a 98-run stand but Pakistan slowed their charge as spinner Saim Ayub, who finished with 2-39, dismissed Pretorius and Tony de Zorzi.

Pace bowler Naseem Shah, who took 3-40, further jolted the visitors with the wickets of De Kock and George Linde as South Africa lost their last six wickets for 61 runs.

Skipper Matthew Breetzke tried to revive the innings as he struck 42 off 54 balls but fell to spinner Abrar Ahmed to end hopes of a bigger total.

Another debutant Sinethemba Qeshile scored 22 and added 44 for the fourth wicket with his skipper while Corbin Bosch hit a quickfire 41 down the order.

Bosch was eventually bowled by Shaheen Shah Afridi, leading Pakistan for the first time in an ODI.
Abrar finished with 3-53 while Shaheen took 1-55.

Pakistan’s spinners and seamers combined effectively, with Naseem Shah (3-40), Abrar Ahmed (3-53) and Saim Ayub (2-39) leading the attack. Shaheen Shah Afridi and Mohammad Nawaz chipped in with a wicket apiece to restrict South Africa to under 300.

The result gave Pakistan a winning start to the series and delighted the Faisalabad crowd witnessing international cricket for the first time since 2008.

Scores in brief

Pakistan beat South Africa by two wickets at Iqbal Stadium

South Africa 263 all out, 49.1 overs (Quinton de Kock 63, Lhuan-dre Pretorius 57, Matthew Breetzke 42, Corbin Bosch 41; Naseem Shah 3-40, Abrar Ahmed 3-53, Saim Ayub 2-39)

Pakistan 264-8, 49.4 overs (Salman Ali Agha 62, Mohammad Rizwan 55, Fakhar Zaman 45, Saim Ayub 39, Hussain Talat 22; Corbin Bosch 2-32, Lungi Ngidi 2-46, Donovan Ferreira 2-53)