Pakistan down South Africa by three wickets in final-ball thriller

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Captain Babar Azam starred with a century as Pakistan beat South Africa by three wickets in a last-over thriller in the first ODI in Centurion.

Chasing a target of 274, Pakistan suffered an early blow as Rabada removed left-hand opener Fakhar Zaman for eight in the third over of the innings.

Pakistan needed their captain Babar Azam to step up as Rabada and Lungi Ngidi continued to exert pressure by bowling tight lines.

After a slow start, Babar broke Proteas momentum by hitting Rabada for a boundary in the 9th over. The boundary opened the floodgates as Babar milked Anrich Nortje and Phehlukwayo for more runs.

The Pakistan captain combined for a 177-run partnership with opener Imamul Haq, which was second highest partnership for Pakistan against South Africa in ODIs.

Babar, who is ranked second in ICC ODI rankings, lived up to the expectations as he continued to keep the scoreboard ticking with regular boundaries. Imam also remained solid at the other end as he neutralized the wrist-spin of Tabraiz Shamsi.

The Pakistan captain reached his 13th ODI century in the 32nd over, keeping Pakistan on track for chase. However, Babar had a lapse of concentration straight after reaching his century as he was caught behind on the next ball of Nortje.

South Africa needed a couple of more wickets to put pressure back on Pakistan and Nortje responded by removing Imam for 70 and the debutant Danish Aziz for three.

Nortje wasn’t done as his barrage of short balls also claimed the wicket of Asif Ali, as the hard-hitting batsman was caught while pulling the pacer after scoring only two runs.

Mohammad Rizwan and Shadab Khan combined for 53-run partnership to arrest the slide and take Pakistan close to the target. However, Rizwan threw away his wicket for 40 when Pakistan needed 18 from 17.

Shadab Khan was also caught for 33 as he tried to hit the winning shot with Pakistan needing three from last over. However, all-rounder Faheem Ashraf remained calm and took Pakistan over the line on the last ball.

Earlier, Rassie Van der Dussen’s maiden century helped South Africa post 273-6.

Pakistan started with a couple of tight overs after winning the toss and electing to field first.

Wicketkeeper-batsman Quinton De Kock let loose in the third over as he began dealing boundaries. Aiden Markram also took inspiration from his partner and started expressing himself with the bat.

However, Shaheen Afridi made a great comeback in his third over by removing both openers. De Kock tried to charge at Shaheen but was caught at mid-off by Babar Azam for 20. Markram chipped an incoming delivery from the left-arm pacer straight to Faheem Ashraf at mid-on, who completed a brilliant diving catch.

Temba Bavuma didn’t have a great first outing as captain as he got out to a soft dismissal in the next over.  Bavuma guided a wide delivery from Hasnain straight down third man's throat, departing for 1.

Faheem Ashraf was introduced next into the attack and didn’t take long to inflict further damage on the Proteas as he removed Henrich Klaasen. The right-hand batsman struggled to get going as he could only must 1 run in 21 balls, before being caught behind by Mohammad Rizwan.

South Africa needed a partnership to rebuild the innings. Rassie Van der Dussen and David Miller responded with a century partnership to bring the South African innings back on track. While Van der Dussen played a gritty knock, Miller tried to keep the scoreboard ticking with a healthy strike rate. Pakistan was looking towards their vice-captain Shadab Khan to provide the breakthrough, but the spinner went for 34 runs in his first five overs, forcing Babar Azam to introduce the left-arm spin of Danish Aziz.

Both batsmen reached their fifties before the 34th over, to set a perfect platform to begin their charge towards the later part of the innings. However, Rauf, who initially went for plenty, returned to break the partnership as he induced an edge from David Miller. The left-hander departed after scoring 50 from 56 balls.

Van der Dussen continued to lead the charge for South Africa after Miller’s departure as he combined with Andile Phehlukwayo for a 64-run partnership. Phehlukwayo, who provided good support to Dussen, was dismissed by Rauf for 29 in the 47th over.

Dussen broke the shackles after completing his century and remained unbeaten on 123 runs as he took South Africa to a competitive total.