• Pakistan defeated South Africa in the first ODI by 3 wickets.

  • Agha Salman earned the Player of the Match for his brilliant all-round performance.

Twitter reactions: Agha Salman, Saim Ayub shine in Pakistan’s thrilling win over South Africa in first ODI
Pakistan beat South Africa in the first ODI (Image Source: X)

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Pakistan kicked off their ODI series against South Africa with a thrilling 3-wicket victory in the opening game at Boland Park in Paarl. The contest went down to the wire where the visitors held their nerve and managed to claim a nail-biting win.

Agha Salman sizzles with the ball

South Africa got off to a steady start as openers Tony de Zorzi and Ryan Rickelton contributed 33 and 36 runs, respectively. However, Pakistan’s bowlers, particularly Agha Salman and Abrar Ahmed, kept the middle order under control. Heinrich Klaasen anchored the innings with a superb 86 off 97 balls, including seven boundaries and two sixes, giving the hosts a fighting total. Ahmed’s tidy spell of 2/32 and Salman’s remarkable 4/32 were instrumental in restricting South Africa to 239.

Saim Ayub hits a brilliant ton to take Pakistan over the finish line

In response, Pakistan had a shaky start, losing Abdullah Shafique for a duck in the opening over. Babar Azam and Mohammad Rizwan fell cheaply, leaving Pakistan struggling at 4/3. Saim Ayub steadied the innings with a masterclass 109 off 119 deliveries, striking 10 fours and 3 sixes. His partnership with Salman, who scored a well-crafted 82 off 90 balls, proved to be the backbone of the chase.

Despite a late flurry of wickets, Saim’s heroics and Salman’s composed innings ensured Pakistan crossed the line with three balls to spare. Ottniel Baartman and Kagiso Rabada were the pick of the bowlers for South Africa, claiming two wickets each.

Salman not only impressed with the ball but also delivered a match-defining knock with the bat. His all-round brilliance earned him the Player of the Match award, highlighting his critical role in Pakistan’s victory.

Also WATCH: SA vs PAK – Shaheen Afridi knocks over Heinrich Klaasen’s middle stump with an absolute snorter in the 1st ODI

Here is how Twitter reacted:

Also READ: SA vs PAK 2024, ODI Series: Broadcast, Live Streaming details – When and where to watch in India, USA, South Africa, Pakistan & other countries

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AKSHAT GAUR
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