South Africa set 274-run target for Pakistan in first ODI

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Rassie Van der Dussen’s maiden ODI century helped South Africa post 273-6 against Pakistan in the first ODI in Centurion.

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.