South Africa vs Pakistan - 1st ODI

Right! That ends the first ODI. A very close game but it should not have come this close. But when Pakistan plays, anything can happen. Bizarre things happened. It looked like Pakistan will win or will they choke? They did but somehow managed to cross the line. Do join us for the second game which starts on Sunday, 4th April 2021. The action will begin at 1000 local (0800 GMT). Now, we would like to bid goodbye from here. We need some time to recover from what we have witnessed. So, goodbye and take care!

Pakistan skipper, Babar Azam is also the Man Of The Match. He says that they wanted to restrict the South Africans to 270 and he is happy with the way the first Powerplay went. He further says that he told his bowlers to bowl the Test match length and not on the back of a length. He mentions that they got some early swing which they utilised that to good effect. He further says that they had p[lanned to stay as long as in the middle and he did exactly the same thing with Imam. He mentions that there was a bit of pressure when Nortje took 4 wickets but they would learn from it and come back stronger in the next game. He ends by saying that the win gives confidence to the team and they would look to win the second game and seal the series then and there itself.

South Africa skipper, Temba Bavuma says that it was not the result they wanted. He mentions that they were tested in both batting and bowling. He further says that they did not use the Powerplay too well while batting but the partnership between van der Dussen and Miller got them in. He also says that Babar and Imam took the game away from them. He mentions that they need to rectify their mistakes and look at the dismissals from this game and improve and tick all the boxes in the next game to win that one.

Earlier in the day, Pakistan asked South Africa to set a total. The visitors then thumped them early to leave them reeling at 55 for 4. Rassie van der Duseen then along with David Miller did the rescue act. The duo added 100-plus between them to get the South African innings on track. Miller departed after reaching his half-ton but Rassie continued. He played a magnificent knock of unbeaten 123 to help the side get over 270. For Pakistan, Afridi and Rauf picked up 2 but they were a bit expensive. Faheem bowled well but got 1 wicket in his 9-over spell. Shadab had a poor day as he failed to get the wickets that Pakistan needed in the middle overs. They eventually ended up conceding over 270. And then, on the last ball of the game, somehow managed to bag the win. Stay tuned for the presentations...

South Africa started well. They struck early and they kept things tight in Powerplay 1. However, once Babar and Imam got going, the Proteas looked clueless. And then Pakistan did what they do best. They collapsed. Quick wickets fell and Nortje was the man who was doing the trick. He took a 4-fer and forced Pakistan on the back foot. Rabada, Ngidi and Shamsi were superb in their spell after that and forced the game till the last over. Phehlukwayo struck in the final 2 overs but couldn't help the team win.

Chasing the total, Pakistan lost Fakhar early. Imam and Babar struggled to get going but they held on to their ends. They eventually got going. Babar raked up a fine half-ton and Imam followed him. They added 150-plus with Babar smashing a few glorious strokes on his way to his 13th Test ton. They looked all set to seal the deal but once Babar fell, Pakistan fluffed and lost 3 wickets in quick time. However, Rizwan along with Shadab calmed things down and added 50-plus. They both fluffed too. But Faheem somehow managed to win on the last ball of the game.

Rizwan and Shadab got together. They added 50-plus. It looked like these two will finally take Pakistan home. They will not give us those nervy moments. Rizwan decided to do the opposite. He went after a short ball and holed out. Shadab said 'I will do it.' But he didn't. He took the game close but fell in the 50th over. Faheem was injured. He played 3 dots but managed to seal the deal on the last ball.

What a game! A nerve-stopping one! How on earth can Pakistan get in a position like this. Why do they do it? This is just unbelievable. This is some finish to the ODI. Only Pakistan can get in trouble like this from a position where they could have sealed the game easily. But they are Pakistan. They do not like to do things straightforward. They were cruising when Imam and Babar were batting. But then they lost track. They kept losing track.

Big meeting! The South African players get around Phehlukwayo. They discuss the plan.

Concussion test time! The physio is having a word with Faheem. Faheem looks fine though.

Who is in now? It is Shaheen Afridi. He will be on strike. A boundary will do for Pakistan.

What happened there? The zing bails light up and the South Africans celebrate. Shadab is not going anywhere. Is it over the waits? Looks like it. Yes. No ball called. What a game this is turning out to be.

14 needed in 12 balls. The game has turned on its head. Just amazing how Pakistan manages to get themselves in trouble.

Who is in next? Faheem Ashraf joins Shadab Khan.

Andile Phehlukwayo to bowl the 48th over of the match. 19 needed in 18 balls.

25 needed in 24 balls. Rabada is done. Nortje is done. Here's Ngidi.

Will Kagiso Rabada bowl out? Yes, he will.