In a thrilling series opener at the Iqbal Stadium in Faisalabad—a venue hosting its first international fixture in 17 years—Pakistan’s bowlers delivered a masterclass to dismiss South Africa for 263.
The home side’s success was spearheaded by exceptional performances from Naseem Shah (3-40), Saim Ayub (2-39), and Abrar Ahmed (3-53), who rallied brilliantly after the Proteas’ openers had dominated the initial overs.
After Pakistan captain Shaheen Shah Afridi put them into bat, South Africa roared out of the blocks. Debutant Lhuan-dre Pretorius (57) and the experienced, returning Quinton de Kock (63) formed an ideal opening stand, showing immediate aggression. Pretorius signaled his intent early on, repeatedly finding the boundary off Naseem, while De Kock kept the scoreboard moving, targeting Shaheen and the spinners.
The South African openers laid into the bowling attack, particularly the spinners. De Kock smacked Abrar for a six, and Pretorius powered his way to a 48-ball half-century. With Salman Ali Agha struggling severely, conceding 30 runs in his first three overs, South Africa was firmly in control, coasting at 94 for no loss by the 15th over.
Pakistan desperately needed a breakthrough, and it arrived when Saim Ayub claimed the crucial wicket of Pretorius, who slashed a delivery straight to a diving Mohammad Nawaz. Though De Kock—playing his first ODI since his brief retirement following the 2023 World Cup—raised his half-century, he remained a thorn in Pakistan’s side until Shaheen brought Naseem Shah back into the attack. The pacer immediately struck, clean bowling the veteran opener, who chopped the ball onto his stumps.
With the foundation cracked, Pakistan’s trio of Naseem, Saim, and Abrar scythed through the remaining batting lineup. Skipper Matthew Breetzke (42) and debutant Sinethemba Qeshile (22) attempted a brief rebuild, but Nawaz removed Qeshile just as momentum seemed to be shifting.
Breetzke fought hard, smacking Abrar for boundaries, but the spinner eventually claimed the captain’s wicket. Abrar followed up by trapping Bjorn Fortuin leg before wicket on the very next ball, narrowly missing a hat-trick moments later.
Corbin Bosch (41) provided vital late resistance, smashing Shaheen and Abrar for boundaries to ensure the total crossed 250. However, his valuable innings ended when a searing Shaheen yorker dismantled his stumps in the penultimate over. Naseem rounded off the innings by cleaning up tailender Lizaad Williams, ensuring South Africa was bowled out for 263.
