FAISALABAD, Pakistan: Pakistan’s bowlers combined effectively to bowl out South Africa for a modest 263 in the opening One-Day International (ODI) of the three-match series at the Iqbal Stadium in Faisalabad on Tuesday, marking the return of international cricket to the venue after 17 years.
After winning the toss, Pakistan’s new captain Shaheen Shah Afridi opted to bowl first — a decision that paid off despite South Africa’s strong start.
Openers Lhuan-dre Pretorius and Quinton de Kock provided early momentum with a 98-run partnership, giving the visitors a solid foundation.
Pretorius scored a fluent 57 off 60 balls, including seven fours and a six, before Saim Ayub broke the stand in the 16th over.
De Kock continued to anchor the innings but fell soon after completing his fifty, departing for 63 off 71 deliveries.
South Africa then lost wickets in quick succession, with Tony de Zorzi and De Kock both dismissed within six deliveries, leaving the side struggling at 147 for 3 in the 28th over.
Middle-order collapse
Captain Matthew Breetzke and debutant Sinethemba Qeshile attempted to rebuild with a 44-run stand for the fourth wicket.
However, Mohammad Nawaz dismissed Qeshile for 22, triggering a decisive collapse.
South Africa lost four wickets for just 20 runs, slipping to 228 for 8 in the 44th over. Breetzke’s 42 off 54 balls, featuring two sixes and two fours, was the only notable contribution during the middle overs.
All-rounder Corbin Bosch added some resistance at the end, striking 41 from 40 balls before becoming Shaheen’s only victim in the penultimate over.
The visitors were eventually bowled out for 263 in 49.1 overs.
Pakistan’s bowlers share the spoils
Pakistan’s spinners and seamers shared the wickets evenly. Abrar Ahmed and Naseem Shah took three wickets apiece, while Saim Ayub claimed two.
Shaheen Afridi and Mohammad Nawaz chipped in with one wicket each, ensuring South Africa’s middle and lower order failed to capitalise on their early start.
Historic return to Faisalabad
Tuesday’s match marked the resumption of international cricket at the Iqbal Stadium after nearly two decades.
Pakistan and South Africa have faced each other 87 times in ODIs, with the Proteas winning 52 and Pakistan 34, while one game ended without a result.
The ODI series follows a competitive three-match T20 series, which Pakistan won 2–1 after bouncing back from an opening defeat.
Playing XIs
Pakistan: Fakhar Zaman, Saim Ayub, Babar Azam, Mohammad Rizwan (wk), Salman Agha, Hussain Talat, Hasan Nawaz, Mohammad Nawaz, Shaheen Shah Afridi (capt), Naseem Shah, Abrar Ahmed
South Africa: Quinton de Kock (wk), Lhuan-dre Pretorius, Tony de Zorzi, Matthew Breetzke (capt), Sinethemba Qeshile, Donovan Ferreira, George Linde, Corbin Bosch, Bjorn Fortuin, Lungi Ngidi, Lizaad Williams
