02 Apr Babar ton trumps Van der Dussen’s as Pakistan win opening ODI
TSHWANE: 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.
Proteas ODI squad: Temba Bavuma (captain, Imperial Lions), Quinton de Kock (wk, Momentum Multiply Titans), Beuran Hendricks (Imperial Lions), Heinrich Klaasen (Momentum Multiply Titans), Janneman Malan (Six Gun Grill Cape Cobras), Keshav Maharaj (Hollywoodbets Dolphins), Aiden Markram (Momentum Multiply Titans), David Miller (Hollywoodbets Dolphins), Lungi Ngidi (Momentum Multiply Titans), Anrich Nortje (Warriors), Andile Phehlukwayo (Hollywoodbets Dolphins), Kagiso Rabada (Imperial Lions), Tabraiz Shamsi (Momentum Multiply Titans), Jon-Jon Smuts (Warriors), Rassie van der Dussen (Imperial Lions), Junior Dala (Momentum Multiply Titans), Lutho Sipamla (Imperial Lions), Wiaan Mulder (Imperial Lions), Sisanda Magala (Imperial Lions), Kyle Verreynne (Six Gun Grill Cape Cobras), Daryn Dupavillon (Hollywoodbets Dolphins), Lizaad Williams (Momentum Multiply Titans).
Schedule: Pakistan Men’s Tour to South Africa
Friday, 02 April at 10:00 SAST
1st Betway ODI (CWCSL) – South Africa lost to Pakistan by 3 wickets – SuperSport Park, Centurion
Sunday, 04 April at 10:00 SAST
2nd Betway ODI (CWCSL): South Africa v Pakistan, Imperial Wanderers Stadium, Johannesburg (Pink Day)
Wednesday, 07 April at 10:00 SAST
3rd Betway ODI (CWCSL) South Africa v Pakistan, SuperSport Park, Centurion
Saturday, 10 April at 14:30 SAST
1st KFC T20I South Africa v Pakistan, Imperial Wanderers Stadium, Johannesburg
Monday, 12 April at 14:30 SAST
2nd KFC T20I South Africa v Pakistan, Imperial Wanderers Stadium, Johannesburg
Wednesday, 14 April at 14:30 SAST
3rd KFC T20I South Africa v Pakistan, SuperSport Park, Centurion
Friday, 16 April at 14:30 SAST
4th KFC T20I South Africa v Pakistan, SuperSport Park, Centurion