Pakistan claim opening victory

Imam-ul-Haq and Mohammad Hafeez made half-centuries as Pakistan laid down a marker by winning the first Momentum one-day international against South Africa by five wickets at St George’s Park in Port Elizabeth on Saturday.

Full Scorecard

Chasing 267 for victory after a Hashim Amla hundred for South Africa, Pakistan suffered some nervous moments before getting home with five balls to spare thanks to a fine 86 by Imam-ul-Haq and an unbeaten 71 from Mohammad Hafeez.

It was a good performance by the tourists after being hammered in the test series and they now head to Durban for the second game of five with a 1-0 advantage.

The result also means Pakistan remain unbeaten against South Africa at St George’s Park with three wins in four matches, the other being a rain out.

South Africa did not get enough runs after winning the toss and electing to bat and their bowlers had to be on the mark if they were going to pull off the win.

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But Imam-ul-Haq and Fakhar Zaman (25) weathered the early storm. Babar Azam then added 49 at No 3 before Mohammad Hafeez used all of his experience to steer the ship home.

Debutant Duanne Olivier was the most successful of the home team bowlers claiming two wickets but they came at a high cost of 73 runs in his 10 overs.

Earlier, Amla scored a century as South Africa posted 266 for two. The veteran Proteas right-hander made 108 not out and it was his first one-day international hundred at the venue and also the 27th of his stellar career.

Amla shared in a stand of 155 for the second wicket with Rassie van der Dussen who contributed an impressive 93 on debut.

He was dropped on 92, a sharp return chance to bowler fast bowler Hasan Ali. Other than that, Amla never looked troubled in a typically measured innings that included a host of his trademark flick shots.

He hit seven fours in his 120-ball innings and went to a hundred by lofting Mohammad Hafeez over the long-on boundary for six.

Van der Dussen, was unlucky not to get to three figures but certainly did enough to enhance his World Cup selection chances. He clubbed three sixes and six fours in his 101-delivery stay at the crease.

South Africa won the toss and opted bat in sunny but windy conditions.

Reeza Hendricks continued to impress with his array of strokes and was involved in an 82-run opening partnership with Amla.

He was eventually out for a well-played 45 after an attempted sweep shot off legspinner Shadab Khan was easily caught at short fine leg by Hasan Ali.

Pakistan used all four their spin bowlers to try and effect breakthroughs but wickets did not come easily. Shadab Khan was the best of the turners taking 1-41 while Hasan Ali was the most effective seamer returning figures of 1-42 in his 10 overs.

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SOUTH AFRICA: Hashim Amla, Reeza Hendricks, Rassie van der Dussen, Faf du Plessis (capt), Heinrich Klaasen (wk), David Miller, Dwaine Pretorius, Andile Phehlukwayo, Kagiso Rabada, Duanne Olivier, Imran Tahir

PAKISTAN: Shan Masood, Imam-ul-Haq, Babar Azam, Mohammad Hafeez, Shoaib Malik, Sarfaraz Ahmed (capt, wk), Shadab Khan, Imad Wasim, Faheem Ashraf, Hasan Ali, Usman Shiniwari