PAARL: Salman Ali Agha’s four-wicket haul helped Pakistan restrict South Africa to an average total despite Heinrich Klaasen anchoring a half-century in the first ODI here at Boland Park on Tuesday.
Opting to bat first, the home team managed to amass 239/9 in the allotted 50 overs, thanks to an important fifth-wicket partnership between Klaasen and captain Aiden Markram.
The hosts started their innings in fine fashion, with openers Ryan Rickelton and Tony de Zorzi adding 70 runs for the first wicket inside 10 overs.
All-rounder Salman Ali Agha turned the tide in Pakistan’s favor by taking four wickets in quick succession and reduced South Africa to 88/4 in 13.4 overs.
After the fall, wicketkeeper-batsman Klaasen joined Markram in the middle and together they staged a surprising comeback.
The duo batted sensibly against a Pakistan bowling attack full of momentum to add 73 runs for the fifth wicket.
The emerging partnership culminated in Markram’s dismissal of Saim Ayub in the 32nd over. The captain scored 35 off 54 balls and hit just one boundary.
Meanwhile, Klaasen formed one-sided partnerships with Marco Jansen (10) and Andile Phehlukwayo (one) before Shaheen Shah Afridi brought the curtain down on his brave strike in the 45th minute.
He remained South Africa’s top scorer with 86 off 97 deliveries, along with seven fours and two sixes.
Tailender Kagiso Rabada and Ottneil Baartman added valuable runs at the back, scoring 11 and 10 points respectively.
Agha led Pakistan’s bowling attack with 4/32 from his four overs, followed by Abrar Ahmed with two wickets, while Shaheen and Saim took one each.
