Pakistan Restrict South Africa to 239/9 in First ODI

Pakistan's spinners led a comeback to restrict South Africa to 239/9 in the first ODI in Paarl. Heinrich Klaasen top-scored with 86, but the visiting side's spinners, Salman Agha and Abrar Ahmed, picked up crucial wickets at different stages of the innings.

South Africa's Innings

South Africa opted to bat and got off to a good start, with the openers adding 70 inside the first 10 overs. However, the flurry of boundaries did not cease as De Zorzi and Rickelton picked up regular boundaries off Shaheen Afridi and Naseem Shah.

Agha's Dramatic Turnaround

Agha then turned things around in dramatic fashion, trapping De Zorzi in front with an arm ball and rattling the stumps of Rickelton with another such delivery. Agha then had Rassie van der Dussen and Tristan Stubbs bowled in an over as South Africa slipped to 88/4.

Klaasen and Markram's Fightback

Klaasen and Markram led the home team's fightback with a good partnership, adding 73 runs before Ayub ended the partnership. Klaasen brought up a 68-ball fifty and was playing a measured knock, but he also made sure to capitalise on the opportunities.

Late Wickets and Final Score

Klaasen was then joined by Marco Jansen and they put on a half-century stand, but Jansen scored only 10 in the partnership before his attempted loft off Abrar resulted in a wicket. Andile Phehlukwayo was Abrar's next wicket as he failed to keep a flick down. Klaasen was eventually bowled by Shaheen in the 80s, leaving South Africa at 218/8 in the 45th over. Kagiso Rabada scored a useful 11 and put on 21 for the ninth wicket with Ottneil Baartman, helping South Africa finish with a fighting total.

Brief Scores

South Africa 239/9 in 50 overs (Heinrich Klaasen 86, Ryan Rickelton 36; Salman Agha 4-32, Abrar Ahmed 2-32) vs Pakistan.