Pakistan [274/7] defeat South Africa [273/6] by 3 wickets in 1st ODI last-ball thriller

[shamaan]

Good game of cricket

 

[topspin]

That's why the million dot balls at the start of the innings was so costly. You end up in situations like this.

Phehlukwayo just looking to take pace off the ball.

Totally agreed. It doesn’t help when you have a strokeless wonder like Imam and a technically deficient Fakhar as your openers.

5/10 performance from Pakistan.

This should have been an easy win inside 45 overs on a flat wicket.

Barring Babar and Rizwan, the rest of the bunch are just trash batsmen.

 

[Nikhil_cric]

Good win for Pakistan.

 

[Titan24]

People should look at the experience of Pak batting from no 4 onwards. Experience makes a huge difference when it comes to international cricket and finishing matches. It shouldn’t gave gone this close but, it shouldn’t be a surprise that when it came down to middle order it went close.

 

[rhony]

That's why teams can't emulate England. When you go for it and get out, the next one doesn't panic. Then there's India's template where top 3 play deep and the rest score aggressively. Cricinfo had an article explaining this. For Pak to execute India style, middle order shouldn't panic.

 

[shamaan]

A win is a win, but we really need to look at Asif Ali, Shadab Khan and Haris Rauf's places in the side.

Shadab and Rauf's bowling ensured we chased 20-30 more than we should have been.

Shamsi went for 50

 

[topspin]

What should asif ali do?

A bit harsh on Rizwan but he did get out a crucial stage so maybe you’re right.

Asif Ali should be at the top of your list.

I can’t stand Imam, he’s so trash bruh.

If I met him, I’d tell him you ain’t got no Inzy genes bruh.

 

[90MPH]

Overall a very good ODI, it swung one way then the other.

Pakistan though should be concerned about their middle order - it’s not settled once Babar gets out.

 

[topspin]

What should asif ali do?

A bit harsh on Rizwan but he did get out a crucial stage so maybe you’re right.

Asif Ali should be at the top of your list.

I can’t stand Imam, he’s so trash bruh.

If I met him, I’d tell him you ain’t got no Inzy genes bruh.

 

[shamaan]

Asif ali should be replaced by Haider ali and hassan for rauf

 

[Sunzi]

Dot balls at the beginning were irrelevant at 181 for 1 in the 37th (?) over with 9 wickets in hand and the rate under 5... Babar should have taken the team deeper and closer.

Those that followed didn't play well enough, hence the collapse. The platform was set and recovered the strike rates respectably for an easy finish.

 

[Zaz]

Some really poor decision making and panic when there was no need The batting from 4 down needs looking at because that was simply not good enough in the end

 

[Artaxerxes]

Asif Ali should not be in any Pakistan team.This guy is a club level cricketer.

 

[BunnyRabbit]

It was mindless street level batting from Pakistan apart from Babar and Imam and Rizwan, even their dismissals were very soft and uncalled for.
Rizwan always panics in the death overs and him playing that awful shot after 3 consecutive dots was infuriating. Shadab's dismissal was again a poor shot. Why go for a glory shot when you can easily knock the ball around for 3 easy singles in the last over. Fahim was unable to see the ball. If not for SA's stronger self choke, we would have had another embarrassing defeat to our name.

I would have Rizwan opening as he isn't comfortable in the later stages of the match and has trouble starting.

Asif Ali and Haris need to be given a boot. Haider Ali and Hassan should play instead of them. Fakhar could be tried at no 4 though.

 

[Markhor]

Shamsi went for 50

Shadab has been rubbish with the ball for three years, it's not just one bad game.

 

[Mamoon]

What a rubbish performance. We got lucky with the Ngidi no-ball otherwise South Africa would have won.

Totally embarrassing. I am glad I missed large portions of the chase. Can’t stand Pakistan’s mediocrity.

 

[Cpt. Rishwat]

Felt like it was two sides battling to lose the game rather than win it. Sheer lack of professionalism, and even with 3 to get off the last over, it still went to the final ball.

Good century from Babar though, and a nice innings from Rizwan.

 

[MHN1293]

Not every match babars going to score centuries. If babar fails next game then what.

 

[Artaxerxes]

Hassan Ali should replace Rauf in the next game.Asif ali does not deserve
to play for Pakistan in any format.Haider Ali should have played.The rest of the team is ok.

 

[MHN1293]

What a rubbish performance. We got lucky with the Ngidi no-ball otherwise South Africa would have won.

Totally embarrassing. I am glad I missed large portions of the chase. Can’t stand Pakistan’s mediocrity.

Sa were lucky with rizwan holing out unnecessarily or else we would have comfortably won

 

[TeamPak95]

A spoiled win to be honest. Shoulda won by 6 wickets at worst but alas, a win’s a win. Hope Pakistan win this series convincingly in the second game.

 

[shamaan]

Shadab has been rubbish with the ball for three years, it's not just one bad game.

Agreed but you cant judge him based upon his performance he chipped in with the bat

 

[ask_analyse_act]

What a game !

Both teams tried their best to lose but eventually south Africa have succeeded...

Congratulations to Pak fans.

Indeed SA won the bottling it.. Congrats to Pak for winning it.

 

[Shoaibbtt]

Some really poor decision making and panic when there was no need The batting from 4 down needs looking at because that was simply not good enough in the end

Yep for me simple as trial Fakhar for the next game (doesn't matter if we lose the next game) and if he fails drop him for Abdullah in the last game (InshAllah it's a dead rubber). Asif Ali is a no brainer drop him for Haider and finally although he took some crucial wickets i would drop Haris for Hassan Ali.

Positives to look at Shaheen bowled well as did Hasnain along with Faheem playing second fiddle. Batting was good at the top of the order but some needless and brainless shots from Imam, Asif Ali, Shadab and Rizwan.

 

[shamaan]

Not every match babars going to score centuries. If babar fails next game then what.

Imaam can convert rizwan can score useful runs

 

[Civil]

Win is a win..hopefully coaches talk on improving rather than settling...onto the next game ..

 

[Shoaibbtt]

Agreed but you cant judge him based upon his performance he chipped in with the bat

He certainly did but that shot near the end was far from required. Really brainless.

 

[shamaan]

He certainly did but that shot near the end was far from required. Really brainless.

It waw brainless you could see that from babar reaction.if he is to be replaced it has to be Nawaz and not qadir

 

[ask_analyse_act]

Hassan Ali should replace Rauf in the next game.Asif ali does not deserve
to play for Pakistan in any format.Haider Ali should have played.The rest of the team is ok.

They need to make three changes

Haider Ali in for Asif
Sarfraz in for Danish
Hassan Ali in for Rauf

They badly need to strengthen the middle order, otherwise they will fall like pack of cards...

If Pakistan lose 3 quick wickets, it looks to me as if the remaining lot cant even make 100 runs..
Earlier I was wrong in that thinking they will crawl to 200

Thanks to Wasim to drop Haris Sohail and Imad Wasim
Thanks to Misbah to take Asif ali and play him as a middle order batsman at no.6....

Just for a thinking for ppers here, Compare the no.6 of other teams with what just Pakistan did today with Asif ali..

 

[Bigboii]

That's why teams can't emulate England. When you go for it and get out, the next one doesn't panic. Then there's India's template where top 3 play deep and the rest score aggressively. Cricinfo had an article explaining this. For Pak to execute India style, middle order shouldn't panic.

Pak is following the indian model

But our openers aren't as good to give us a consistent run stand that's why rizwan at 4 to fill that gap

 

[Shoaibbtt]

A spoiled win to be honest. Shoulda won by 6 wickets at worst but alas, a win’s a win. Hope Pakistan win this series convincingly in the second game.

It's 50/50 if we win that next game but given what i saw in SA's batting today they will seriously crumble in that last game.

Take out David Miller and would've that scorecard looked like today?

For me easy as i make the following XI next game:

1. Imam
2. Fakhar
3. Babar (c)
4. Haider Ali
5. Muhammad Rizwan
6. Danish Aziz
7. Shadab Khan
8. Faheem Ashraf
9. Hassan Ali (provided he is fit)
10. Muhammad Hasnain
11. Shaheen Shah Afridi

 

[ask_analyse_act]

The irony is that Bits and Pieces players are better than pure batters

That is how much enough they understand the game of cricket

 

[Zaz]

They need to make three changes

Haider Ali in for Asif
Sarfraz in for Danish
Hassan Ali in for Rauf

They badly need to strengthen the middle order, otherwise they will fall like pack of cards...

If Pakistan lose 3 quick wickets, it looks to me as if the remaining lot cant even make 100 runs..
Earlier I was wrong in that thinking they will crawl to 200

Thanks to Wasim to drop Haris Sohail and Imad Wasim
Thanks to Misbah to take Asif ali and play him as a middle order batsman at no.6....

Just for a thinking for ppers here, Compare the no.6 of other teams with what just Pakistan did today with Asif ali..

Yes the dropping of harris sohail and imad wasim has left a serious hole in that middle order which looks like its a collapse waiting to happen evry game

 

[Shoaibbtt]

They need to make three changes

Haider Ali in for Asif
Sarfraz in for Danish
Hassan Ali in for Rauf

They badly need to strengthen the middle order, otherwise they will fall like pack of cards...

If Pakistan lose 3 quick wickets, it looks to me as if the remaining lot cant even make 100 runs..
Earlier I was wrong in that thinking they will crawl to 200

Thanks to Wasim to drop Haris Sohail and Imad Wasim
Thanks to Misbah to take Asif ali and play him as a middle order batsman at no.6....

Just for a thinking for ppers here, Compare the no.6 of other teams with what just Pakistan did today with Asif ali..

That would be silly as Danish provided some cheap overs as a sixth option and far too harsh based on 1 match to be dropped. Agree with your other changes though.

They deserved dropping well Imad at least not Haris Sohail, very harsh on him.

 

[Bewal Express]

Yes the dropping of harris sohail and imad wasim has left a serious hole in that middle order which looks like its a collapse waiting to happen evry game

Haris Sohail looks shot and him not playing isn't a loss. Imad isn't a batsman, he scores useful runs but if you are looking for a number 8 to wins games, you ain't going to win many.

 

[Rohan]

Congrats Pak for the win. When Babar and imam were playing, I thought the game would be comfortably win by Pak within 44-45 overs. Couldn’t believe it went to last ball. Anyways, win is win. Enjoy!

 

[Cric1234]

SA were under par by 20-25 runs which just about gave Pakistan enough to win unfortunately totals over 300 are not going to be chased by this line up.

 

[Rayyman]

Alhamdulillah for the win!

Great bowling performance to restrict SA to ~270.

Apart from Imam and Babar, the batting was poor. Pakistan might have to try a couple more options in the next match.

 

[Saj]

A maiden career century by Rassie van der Dussen was overshadowed by Babar Azam’s commanding ton as Pakistan beat the Proteas by three wickets in the opening Betway One-Day International at SuperSport Park in Centurion on Friday.

There was also an impressive career-best four for 51 from Anrich Nortje that threatened to snatch victory away from the grip of the tourists, but it was not to be after Mohammad Rizwan (40) and Shadab Khan (33) did just about enough after a wobble, their side winning with the final ball of the match.

The result put the visitors 1-0 up in the three-match series, with match two of the contest – the Pink ODI – next up on Sunday.

But the South Africans will be disappointed not to have done better in the capital, having had a few opportunities to do so especially after Van der Dussen’s excellent unbeaten 123 off 134 balls (10 fours, 2 sixes) and 50 (56 balls, 5 fours) from David Miller.

The pair put on 116 for the fifth wicket, rescuing their team from being four down for 55 after Pakistan won the toss and opted to bowl first.

Quinton de Kock (20) and Aiden Markram (19) both had starts but then fell along with Temba Bavuma (1), making his captaincy debut, and Heinrich Klaasen (1) leaving the home side in big early trouble.

But the Van der Dussen-Miller stand, followed by another 64 runs between the former and Andile Phehlukwayo (29) put the Proteas in the box seat.

Van der Dussen beat his previous high score of 95 scored against Australia at the 2019 World Cup in Manchester for his first ton in any format for his country, while Miller notched up his 15th career half-century.

But there wasn’t enough big hitting at the end to lift the South Africans to a more threatening total as they had to settle for a target of 274.

Pakistan lost Fakhar Zaman (8) early in the chase, but an imposing 177-run second wicket partnership between skipper Babar and Imam-ul-Haq (70 off 80 balls, 3 fours, 1 six) left their side cruising towards a seemingly routine win.

But Nortje removed both as well as Danish Aziz (3) and Asif Ali (2) during a fiery second spell that saw the away side slump from 186 for one to 203 for 5.

And with the new batsmen initially struggling, the home side suddenly looked to be in control.

But Rizwan and Shadab added 53 for the next wicket to again leave the Pakistanis cruising.

Both then fell to Phehlukwayo (2/56), again threatening a twist. There was also some indiscipline in the field by the hosts that could have swayed things in a game of fine margins, with the tourists finally getting over the line with the final ball of the game.

 

[Technics 1210]

Close win but worth it. Well done Baber, take a now.

 

[PakHammer]

Why is Iman getting criticized? We are notoriously bad chasers and he a built a solid foundation for the chase. Some of our fans have misplaced expectations.

We don't have a Bairstow or a Rohit Sharma sitting in the wings. Iman got a half century in the chase with a half decent strike rate. We won the game so kudos to him.

 

[Omer2002]

Imam did extremely well. We just want bashers like fakhar and asif ali dont we...if asif never dropped a simple catch off russi when he was on nought it would have been different. I do think.we were lucky today as we had shaheen a number 11 coming in.at 7 down and few more runs would have made this chase impossible. Lot of work needed

 

[ask_analyse_act]

Why is Iman getting criticized? We are notoriously bad chasers and he a built a solid foundation for the chase. Some of our fans have misplaced expectations.

We don't have a Bairstow or a Rohit Sharma sitting in the wings. Iman got a half century in the chase with a half decent strike rate. We won the game so kudos to him.

Imam haters are shehzad lovers and u.akmal fans , so dont have to worry..
For a team like Pakistan Imam is like David Warner

 

[ask_analyse_act]

Imam did extremely well. We just want bashers like fakhar and asif ali dont we...if asif never dropped a simple catch off russi when he was on nought it would have been different. I do think.we were lucky today as we had shaheen a number 11 coming in.at 7 down and few more runs would have made this chase impossible. Lot of work needed

Asif getting picked as a replacement and selected in the playing 11 and fielding in slip cordon. Well he has to be Misbah's son or Waqar's younger brother to be given such a red carpet.. This is what nepotism is !!!

 

[ask_analyse_act]

Yes the dropping of harris sohail and imad wasim has left a serious hole in that middle order which looks like its a collapse waiting to happen evry game

Pakistan always has this mentality of chopping and changing well settled team..

After the 2017 CT the team went on a couple of easy tours and the whole team has been changed.

After the 2019 CWC unbeaten run of matches, it was clear that hafeez and malik are retiring and it was expected to be haris sohail taking hafeez's spot and they have also got Haider Ali and Abdullah shafique now.. But they go back to old ways of dropping and changing,

Ideally after the CWC 2019, the following should have been the team


Imam
Fakhar
Babar
Haris
Haider Ali (In this place Misbah brought his buddy to Ifthikar to replace hafeez)
Rizwan (emerged as a better batsman and sarfraz was shown the door for this poor levels of fitness)
Imad Wasim
Shadab
Hasan Ali
Amir (management repeatedly antagonise him for his test retirement and he is no more now, atleast now hasnain took that spot)
Shaheen

 

[Shoaibbtt]

Imam haters are shehzad lovers and u.akmal fans , so dont have to worry..
For a team like Pakistan Imam is like David Warner

In the context of the chase Imam played very well but you can't be doing this i.e. playing too many dots in the PP when chasing bigger totals, you have to be able to push the gears.

However, Imam played well and hats off to him, it's good to cheer players when they do well but we must be fair to a performing player if he fails now and again i.e. we must be fair in giving Danish another trial. It's not as if we are gonna lose this series now with most of SA's powerhouses leaving after Sunday.

 

[Amjid Javed]

We made a dogs dinner of a run chase after cruising and it clearly shows that our batting from 5 onwards is poor and we have 2 years to get that right before world cup time.

 

[Ami]

After failures of Iftikhar, Hussain Talat, Khushdil, Asif and now may be Danish to fulfil spots 5 and 6....why not just put Imad and Shadab there.

I'm sure these guys can make as many runs, if not more.

Game of Cricket is about making runs, doesnt matter with 'what' label you walk to the crease.

Yes...we have Saud and Haider too but hey ho...we ALL know which way they're going.

Fakhar
Imam
Babar
Rizwan
Shadab
Imad
Faheem
Hasan
Afridi
Qadir
Rauf

Lets see...!

 

[ask_analyse_act]

In the context of the chase Imam played very well but you can't be doing this i.e. playing too many dots in the PP when chasing bigger totals, you have to be able to push the gears.

However, Imam played well and hats off to him, it's good to cheer players when they do well but we must be fair to a performing player if he fails now and again i.e. we must be fair in giving Danish another trial. It's not as if we are gonna lose this series now with most of SA's powerhouses leaving after Sunday.

he and babar are well aware that if they lose their wicket there , then this team would play the Misbah way and get bundled for 150 or less than that..

Yes he starts slowly, nevermind, even Rohit sharma starts slowly, Amla started slowly.. Williamson starts slowly, Ross taylor start slowly, but they all catch up with sixers , but Imam catches them up with fours i think thats the difference..

The point I want to highlight is Pakistan has only 2 batsmen who can play the entire 50 overs with the SR close to 90-100 which is Imam and Babar only exclusively developed by MA..

 

[Shoaibbtt]

he and babar are well aware that if they lose their wicket there , then this team would play the Misbah way and get bundled for 150 or less than that..

Yes he starts slowly, nevermind, even Rohit sharma starts slowly, Amla started slowly.. Williamson starts slowly, Ross taylor start slowly, but they all catch up with sixers , but Imam catches them up with fours i think thats the difference..

The point I want to highlight is Pakistan has only 2 batsmen who can play the entire 50 overs with the SR close to 90-100 which is Imam and Babar only exclusively developed by MA..

I fully understand your point and i'm not knocking it, but sometimes you have to play some shots early on and if you play too many dots then you get Pakistan-Afghanistan type situation. However, like i said i was impressed with Imam and especially happy with how he played Shamsi in particular. Pakistan should win this series now easily with SA being heavily dented in the last game with next to nothing batting and bowling.

 

[Bewal Express]

We made a dogs dinner of a run chase after cruising and it clearly shows that our batting from 5 onwards is poor and we have 2 years to get that right before world cup time.

In 2 years time it will still be a mess.

 

[MenInG]

Pakustan bagged crucial ICC Cricket World Cup Super League points after sealing a thrilling three-wicket win over South Africa in the first ODI.

Babar Azam starred with a sensational hundred while Imam-ul-Haq contributed with a vital fifty before Mohammad Rizwan and Shadab Khan’s late contributions helped Pakistan seal a dramatic last-ball thriller.

Earlier, being put in to bat, South Africa managed a total of 273/6 despite a stumbling start after losing three early wickets in the powerplay, thanks to a maiden international ton by Rassie van der Dussen and a fifty by David Miller.

The dangerous Quinton de Kock (20) was the first batsman to fall, miscuing one to Azam off Shaheen Afridi’s bowling. His opening partner, Aiden Markram, who was making a return to ODIs after 2019, got off to a decent start, hitting three fours and a six before he misjudged the length and mistimed the ball to Faheem Ashraf, a double breakthrough for Afridi (2/61) in the same over.

The South African captain Temba Bavuma came out to bat at number three but was sent packing cheaply for 1 after he lofted a short ball straight to third-man where Afridi took a neat catch.

Heinrich Klaasen was given out LBW but reviewed the decision to reveal the ball hitting the inside edge onto the pads overturning the decision effectively. His extended stay on the crease wasn’t to last long as he nicked the ball to the keeper off Ashraf (1/25) bowling, ending his grappling innings of 1 in 21 balls.

South Africa were reduced to 55/4 in the 15th over and their innings needed reconstruction which Rassie van der Dussen and David Miller obliged to take forward.

Van der Dussen and Miller stitched together a solid partnership of 116 runs for the fifth wicket, resurrecting the innings. Miller (50) looked threatening as he laid down a foundation to go big but was dismissed by Haris Rauf (2/72) immediately after he reached his fifty from 56 deliveries.

His partner, van der Dussen produced a sublime knock of 123* from 134 balls which was studded with 10 fours and two sixes. The assistance of Andile Phehlukwayo (29) and Kagiso Rabada (13*) gave the hosts a fighting chance with a competitive total on the scoreboard.

While chasing, Pakistan lost Fakhar Zaman (8) early, who chopped over the stumps becoming Rabada’s one and only scalp of the match.

Imam-ul-Haq was accompanied by captain Azam on the crease. The duo stitched a 177-run stand from 175 balls for the second wicket, and Pakistan looked on track in their chase.

The Pakistan skipper's 104-ball 103 laced with 17 fours before he became Anrich Nortje's first victim, soon after reaching the milestone of his 13th ODI hundred.

Nortje got a foot in the door for South Africa as he snared three more wickets in his second spell to challenge the odds. The paceman sent the other set batsman, Imam, back to the dressing room for a well-made 70 off 80 balls.

He continued the onslaught from his end showing grit and perseverance to take the wickets of debutant Danish Aziz (3) and Asif Ali (2) with an express pace of over 140kph.

Pakistan suddenly seemed to be stuttering in the chase after being reduced to 203/5 after Nortje's bowling effort of 4/51.

Rizwan (40) and Shadab (33) steadied the ship but both lost their wickets on the brink of victory to Phehlukwayo (2/56). With only three runs required off the last over, Ashraf (5) scored the winning runs on the last ball of the match.

South Africa will look to even the series scores when they meet Pakistan in the second ODI on Sunday, 4 Apri