How Salman Agha led Pakistan to victory in thriller against SA

PAARL: Pakistani all-rounder Salman Agha dominated in both batting and bowling on Tuesday, leading Pakistan to victory in the first of the three match ODI series.

SOUTH AFRICA’S INNINGS

The Proteas batted first, and got off to a good start thanks to the steady partnership of Tony de Zorzi and Ryan RIckelton, who together made 70 runs off 59 deliveries, before Pakistan got their breakthrough in the 10th over. Salman Agha took the first wicket in an electric spell that energised Pakistan and shocked South Africa. Agha’s length delivery angled in and struck de Zorzi’s pad plumb, and Pakistan was awarded the lbw. Zorzi made 33 runs before he was sent off

Seven balls later, Agha bowled Ryan Rickelton who likely expected a little more bounce on the delivery that drifted in to take out the off stump. Rickleton scored 36 before being dismissed. Agha would strike again in his next over, dismissing Rassie van der Dussen who failed to defend a delivery that was pitched around fourth stump, before angling in past the outside edge of the South African’s bat to smash into off stump. Drussen only managed to make eight runs before he walked off the field.

Three balls later, Agha put the finishing touches on an incredible spell, bowling Tristan Stubbs as the 24-year old batter defended the middle stump, while Agha’s delivery found off.

Abrar Ahmed would take two wickets as well, dismantling the lower-order batsmen, sending off Marco Jansen and Andile Phehlukwayo in the 42nd and 44th over respectively. Saim Ayub and Shaheen Shah Afridi would get a wicket each as well. Ayub would dismiss South Africa skipper Aiden Markram, while Shaheen bowled the Proteas highest scorer, ending Heinrich Klaasen’s innings, 14 runs short of a century.

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PAKISTAN’S INNINGS

Pakistan got off to a worrying start, as Marco Jansen bowled Abdullah Shaffique in the second over for a duck. However, his fellow opener, Saim Ayub, would take charge, making the second century of his young career. But, along the way, South Africa would continue to needle Pakistna, dismissing batter after batter.

Babar Azam replaced Shafique and scored 23 runs before he was cauight out by Jansen on a delivery from Ottneil Baartman. Pakistan skipper Mohammad Rizwan took to the field next, and Baartman got his second wicket not long after. Rizwan was sent off after only scoring a single run, on a delivery that turned sharply into leg and sent the bails flying.

Kamran Ghulam was up next, and he didn’t last long either, as he was run out in the 20th over after scoring four runs. While Ayub continued to trudge forward with Pakistan on his back, he was in desperate need of some help. And he finally got it when Agha joined him on the field. Together, their partnership added 141 runs to Pakistan’s total.

It was a closely contested game heading into the final 10 overs. But, with Ayub and Agha dominating, South Africa needed to apply some pressure. Kagiso Rabada provided it, taking two wickets in the 42^nd over. He ended Ayub’s innings first, on a delivery that the Pakistani opener swivel pulled to deep fine leg, where Tabraiz Shamsi took the catch.

Irfan Khan came down to the pitch next, and was sent right back up to pavilion after a leading edge popped the ball right back to the man who bowled it, Rabada. Things would become direr when Shaheen Shah Afridi was bowled by Shamsi in the 45th over.

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However, that would be the last wicket to fall, as Agha dragged Pakistan over the finish line, hitting a four on the third ball of the final over to win in style.

Pakistan took a 1-0 lead in the three match ODI series against South Africa, largely due to an impressive all-round performance from Salman Agha.