Salman and Saim heroics enough to push Pakistan to victory
Zaahier Adams
First ODI, Boland Park – SA v Pakistan
South Africa: 239/9
Klaasen 86, Salman 4/32
Pakistan: 242/7
Saim 109, Salman 82*, Rabada 2/48, Baartman 2/37
Pakistan won by three wickets
Salman Agha produced a brilliant all-round performance and along with a majestic century from Saim Ayub the duo set up Pakistan’s three-wicket wicket victory over the Proteas in a thrilling first ODI at Boland Park in Paarl.
Salman struck an undefeated 82 to mastermind the successful run-chase after earlier claiming 4/32 to restrict Pakistan to 239/9. The 31-year-old formed a match-winning partnership of 141 off 133 balls with centurion Saim (109) for the fifth wicket.
Salman was the perfect foil for the elegant Saim, who absorbed the early pressure when Pakistan were reduced to 60/4.
Ottniel Baartman was excellent during this period with the seam bowler only conceding his first run off his 14th delivery. Baartman’s control was rewarded when he picked up two wickets, including the big one of Babar Azam.
However, it was Baartman’s return to the attack that swung the momentum in Pakistan’s favour with Saim helping himself to a flurry of boundaries. Whereas Baartman was full and straight in his opening spell, he delivered a succession of short deliveries that Saim pulled and hooked with ease to take 22 runs off the over.
Stand-in captain Aiden Markram turned to his talisman Kagiso Rabada in the hope for the breakthrough, and the Proteas thought they had their man when Saim cut uppishly to third man. But instead of the chance being taken, Rabada was left with his head in hands when Andile Phehlukwayo ran in from the boundary too fast and could only look on as the ball went over his head for a boundary.
To add insult to injury, Saim hooked the next delivery for six to bring up his century to the applause of the visitors dressingroom and the many Pakistani fans that had come to Boland Park on the night.
We're not sure what's better, Heinrich Klaasen's timing or the catch on the grass embankment 🤲
— SuperSport 🏆 (@SuperSportTV) December 17, 2024
📺 Stream #SAvPAK on DStv: https://t.co/rM90YyQxaw pic.twitter.com/4uXo7d6ZhT
Rabada did provide the Proteas’ with some hope when he eventually got his man when Saim succumbed to Tabraiz Shamsi on the fine-leg boundary, and then created further excitement when he had Irfan Khan caught-and-bowled shortly afterwards.
Boland Park were on the edge of the seats when Shamsi clean bowled Shaheen Afridi for duck which left Pakistan requiring 31 runs from 35 balls with just three wickets remaining. But throughout all the drama, Salman remained calm to keep take Pakistan to a memorable victory.
Earlier, Heinrich Klaasen struck a workmanlike 86 (97 balls, 7x4, 2x6) to keep the Proteas afloat.
It had all looked so different for the home team in the opening powerplay after Tony de Zorzi and Ryan Rickelton raced out of the blocks.
Rickelton, in particular, was in sublime touch as he cracked a couple of exquisite square drives while also pulling Shaheen Afridi in front of square to the boundary.
De Zorzi, meanwhile, had survived a working over from Shaheen with the left-armer going past the outside edge on a few occasions.
✅- Babar Azam
— SuperSport 🏆 (@SuperSportTV) December 17, 2024
✅- Mohammad Rizwan
Ottniel Baartman removes two of Pakistan's big names 👏![CDATA[]]>👏
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The Test opener seemed to be hitting his stride with three boundaries in a Salman Aghar over. But it was the off-spinner who had the last laugh as he trapped De Zorzi plumb in front for 33 of just 25 deliveries (6x4).
De Zorzi’s dismissal set in motion a Proteas collapse with Salman (4/32) ripping through the home team’s top-order.
The Proteas lost four wickets for just 18 runs with Salman the destroyer-in-chief. Rickelton (36 off 38 balls, 7x4) was next to go as he chopped on before Rassie van der Dussen and Tristan Stubbs followed in quick succession.
A repair job was required and stand-in captain Aiden Markram and Heinrich Klaasen responded with a 73-run fifth wicket partnership. Markram’s innings was a frustrating affair though with the skipper never quite finding his rhythm at the crease.
It is not often that Markram faces 54 balls and only strikes one boundary and he was finally out of his misery when an attempted pull shot off Saim Ayub only managed to find Kamran Ghulam at mid-off.
It was the perfect illustration of the rustiness the Proteas’ suffered in the opening ODI of the series.