Pak vs SA: Pakistan edge South Africa in last-over thriller to take 1–0 lead
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- Web Desk
- Nov 04, 2025
ISLAMABAD: In a gripping Pak vs SA contest, Pakistan held their nerve to pull off a dramatic two-wicket win over South Africa with just two balls remaining in the first ODI, taking a 1–0 lead in the three-match series.
Chasing 263, Pakistan reached 264-8 in 49.4 overs, showcasing grit, composure, and late-order calm in a pressure-filled finish.
The Pak vs SA clash swung like a pendulum throughout the match. South Africa’s 263—built on steady middle-order contributions—looked competitive on a surface offering both movement and grip. But Pakistan responded with a measured chase, weathering early setbacks before crucial partnerships steadied the innings. As the Pak vs SA battle tightened in the dying overs, Pakistan’s tail exhibited remarkable maturity, guiding the team past the target and sealing the win in front of an electrifying crowd.
Pakistan now enter the remaining two ODIs—scheduled for November 6 and 8—with momentum firmly on their side, while South Africa will look to bounce back and keep the Pak vs SA series alive.
Earlier, the Greens won the toss and elected to field first, sending the Proteas in to bat.
Pakistan Batting line
The top order laid a strong foundation. Fakhar Zaman played a composed innings of 45 off 57 balls, while Saim Ayub added a valuable 39, ensuring Pakistan got a steady start. Although Babar Azam fell early for just 7, the middle order stood tall to steer the innings forward.
Mohammad Rizwan anchored the innings with a well-crafted 55 off 74 deliveries, striking six boundaries, while Salman Ali Agha stole the show with a classy 62 off 71 balls — a knock that became the turning point of Pakistan’s innings.
Later, Hussain Talat (22) and unbeaten Mohammad Nawaz (9) added crucial runs to push the total beyond 260, with Shaheen Afridi finishing unbeaten to give Pakistan’s total a strong finish.
Pakistan’s total of 264 turned out to be match-winning, as the bowlers backed it up with discipline and precision, keep
South Africa Batting line
Proteas XI managed to post a 263-run high target in first ODI of their Greens format after Quinton de Kock and Lhuan-dré Pretorius pushed their total in the Pakistan vs South Africa ODI here.
South Africa began brightly through young 19-year-old Lhuan-dre Pretorius, who continued his impressive rise with a 60-ball solid 57, studded with 7 fours and a hit before falling to Saim Ayub. Senior batter Quinton de Kock anchored the innings with a steady 63 off 71 deliveries, striking six boundaries as he kept the scoreboard moving.
However, Pakistan pulled back the momentum through regular breakthroughs. Tony de Zorzi made 18 off 20, while captain Matthew Breetzke contributed a composed 42 off 54, but both fell as Abrar Ahmed and Mohammad Nawaz tightened the middle-overs grip.
Sinethemba Qeshile added 22, while Donovan Ferreira (3), George Linde (2), and Bjorn Fortuin (0) fell cheaply as Pakistan’s spinners and pacers combined effectively.
Lower-order resistance came from Corbin Bosch, who struck a lively 41 off 40, including four boundaries and a six, helping South Africa cross the 250 mark. But Naseem Shah and Shaheen Afridi wrapped up the tail quickly, with the Proteas losing their last five wickets for just 46 runs.
Extras contributed 14, pushing the total to 263, a competitive score but short of what the visitors might have hoped for after a strong start.
Pakistan will now need 264 to lead the series 1–0.
South Africa Playing XI
Lhuan-dre Pretorius, Quinton de Knock, Tony de Zorzi, skipper Mathew Breetzke, Sinethemba Qeshile, Donovan Ferreira, George Linde, Corbin Bosch, Bjom Fortuin, Lungi Ngidi, Lizaad Williams
Pakistan Playing XI
Fakhar Zaman, Saim Ayub, Babar Azam, Mohammad Rizwan (wk), Salman Ali Agha, Hussain Talat, Hassan Nawaz, Mohammad Nawaz, Shaheen Afridi (c), Naseem Shah, Abrar Ahmed.
The three-match ODI series forms part of South Africa’s tour of Pakistan, which also included Tests and T20Is being played earlier to this format. The Test series ended in a 1-1 draw, while Pakistan claimed the T20I series 2-1.
The Iqbal Stadium last hosted an ODI on April 11, 2008, when Pakistan defeated Bangladesh by seven wickets. Since then, Faisalabad has hosted a total of 16 ODIs, including four World Cup matches – one in 1987 and three in 1996. Pakistan has a strong record at the venue, winning nine of the 12 matches played here, while South Africa has won two of their five visits.
Who breaks Kallis’ three-decade record: Lhuan-dre Pretorius or Quinton de Kock?
Historically, Pakistan and South Africa have faced each other 87 times in ODIs, with Pakistan winning 34 matches and South Africa 52. On Pakistani soil, both teams have won eight of 16 encounters, while in Faisalabad specifically, Pakistan leads with two wins to South Africa’s one.
The remaining ODIs of the series are scheduled for November 6 and 8, promising more cricketing action for fans in Faisalabad.
