The opening ODI of the Pakistan vs South Africa 2025 series turned out to be a nail-biting contest at the Iqbal Stadium in Faisalabad, where Pakistan hard found victory by two wickets to take a 1-0 lead in the three-match series. With Rizwan and Salman Agha steady half century.
After losing the toss, South Africa were invited to bat first on a surface that looked good for batting early on. Quinton de Kock and Lhuan-dre Pretorius gave the visitors a confident start, adding 98 runs for the opening wicket. De Kock’s experience shown through as he crafted a fluent 63 off 71 balls, striking six boundaries and 2 sixes, while Pretorius impressed with 57 runs off 60 deliveries.
While Tony De Zorzi managed 18 runs and skipper Matthew Breetzkee looked good added 42 valuable runs , Sinethemba Qeshile departed on 22 , Meanwhile Lower order looked flatered Donovan Ferreira 3 and George Linde 2 , After steady Start South Africa at 209/6 in 39 overs. However Corbin Bosch provide late resistance add 41 runs , South Africa Bowled out on 263/10 in 49.1 overs.
Pakistan Pakistan Naseem Shah was stand out bowler took 3/40 in 9.1 overs also Abrar gets 3 wickets and Saim Ayub chipped with 2 wickets meanwhile Shaheen Afridi and Mohammad Nawaz bag 1 wicket.
Chasing 264 Pakistan openers gave steady Start with 87 runs partnership for the first wicket , Saim Ayub departed on 39 while Fakhar Zaman added 45 valuable runs and Babar Azam chipped with only 7 , However Mohammad Rizwan and Salman Ali Agha composed their innings rotating strike and punishing losse deliveries,put together 91 run stand ensure team in front of the game, Rizwan Played steady knock of 55 runs off 74 balls featuring with 6 boundaries and salman Agha composed Knock of 62 off 71 deliveries while Hussain Talat add 22 valuable runs After their dismissal Pakistan looked flatered , however Pakistan managed to cross the line 264/8 in 49.4 overs .
Corbin Bosch, Lungi Ngidi and Donovan Ferreira chipped with 2 wickets each and Bjorn Fortuin took 1 wicket each.
Pakistan vs South Africa Match summary
Toss: Pakistan won the toss and Opted to bowl first
South Africa innings: 263/10 in 49.1 overs
Top performer: Quenton de Kock 63 off 71 balls, Naseem Shah 3/40 in 9.1 overs.
Pakistan innings: 264/8 in 49.4 overs
Top performer: Salman Ali Agha 62 off 71 balls, Corbin Bosch 2/32 in 6.4 overs
Result: Pakistan won by 2 wickets take 1-0 lead in three matches ODI series
Player of the match: Salman Ali Agha 62 off 71 deliveries