Salman and Rizwan guided Pakistan to edge South Africa by two wickets in a thrilling finish, taking a 1–0 lead in the three-match ODI series at Iqbal Stadium, Faisalabad, on Tuesday.
Chasing a target of 264 runs, Pakistan reached the mark in 49.4 overs, finishing at 264 for 8.
Salman Ali Agha top-scored with a composed 62 runs, while Mohammad Rizwan contributed a vital 55 to anchor the chase.
Among other batters, Fakhar Zaman made 45, Saim Ayub scored 39, Hussain Talat added 22, while Babar Azam (7), Hasan Nawaz (1), and Mohammad Nawaz (9) failed to make significant scores.
For South Africa, Ferreira Ngidi and Karben Bosch took two wickets each, keeping the match competitive till the final over.
The closely fought contest kept fans on edge throughout, setting up an exciting series ahead.
Lhuan-dre Gilbert Pretorius and Quinton de Kock's fifties powered South Africa to set a fighting target of 264 runs for Pakistan in the first ODI being played at Faisalabad on Tuesday, 24NewsHD TV reported.
Asked to bat first, the South Africa team posted 263 runs in 49.1 overs for all out.
The match marks the return of international cricket to Faisalabad after a span of 17 years.
Pakistan captain Shaheen Shah Afridi, leading the national side for the first time in ODI cricket, won the toss and elected to field first at the Iqbal Cricket Stadium.
South Africa made a solid start, with openers Lhuan-dre Pretorius and Quinton de Kock putting up a strong 98-run opening partnership in 16 overs.
Pretorius, who recently became South Africa’s youngest player to score an ODI fifty, continued his fine form with a fluent 57, while de Kock added a composed 63 before being dismissed.
Captain Bryce Parsons Britz scored 42 runs, while Corbin Bosch contributed 41 to help South Africa reach a competitive total.
Tony de Zorzi chipped in with 18 runs.
Pakistan’s bowlers made a good comeback after the strong opening stand.
Naseem Shah and Abrar Ahmed claimed three wickets each, while Saim Ayub picked up two, and Shaheen Shah Afridi and Mohammad Nawaz took one wicket apiece.
With this win, Pakistan have taken a 1-0 lead in the three-match series. The second ODI will also be played in Faisalabad on Thursday.
It was a special occasion for Shaheen Shah Afridi, who captained Pakistan’s ODI team for the first time. Speaking after the match, Shaheen called it a “great honour” to lead the national side.
Faisalabad, known for its passionate cricket fans, witnessed a festive atmosphere as international cricket returned to the city after a gap of 17 years.
The hosts will now look to chase down the 264-run target to take an early lead in the series.
Playing XIs
Pakistan: Fakhar Zaman, Saim Ayub, Babar Azam, Mohammad Rizwan (wk), Salman Ali Agha, Hasan Nawaz, Hussain Talat, Mohammad Nawaz, Shaheen Shah Afridi (c), Naseem Shah, Abrar Ahmed.
South Africa: Matthew Breetzke (c), Quinton de Kock (wk), Tony de Zorzi, Donovan Ferreira, Lhuan-dre Pretorius (wk), Sinethemba Qeshile, Corbin Bosch, George Linde, Bjorn Fortuin, Lungi Ngidi, Lizaad Williams