Faisalabad: Pakistan’s new ODI captain Shaheen Shah Afridi started his leadership journey with a memorable victory as his team edged past South Africa by two wickets in a nail-biting finish at the Iqbal Stadium, Faisalabad. The triumph marked a promising start to Afridi’s reign and Pakistan’s return to the venue after 17 years.
A Historic Setting
The opening ODI of the three-match series carried special significance — not only was it Shaheen’s first match as full-time captain, but also Faisalabad’s first international fixture since 2008. The crowd turned out in large numbers to welcome the home side and its young leader.
Winning the toss, Afridi chose to field first — a confident call that set the tone for a competitive contest.
South Africa Post 264
South Africa, missing a few senior stars, still managed a fighting total of 264 runs. Contributions from their middle order ensured the visitors had something to defend. Shaheen led the bowling unit smartly, rotating his pacers and spinners effectively.
While Afridi picked up a wicket himself, it was Pakistan’s disciplined support attack that restricted South Africa from going past the 270-mark.
Pakistan’s Top Order Steady Start
Chasing 265, openers Fakhar Zaman (45) and Saim Ayub (39) gave Pakistan a fluent start with an 87-run opening partnership. But South Africa’s bowlers struck back in the middle overs, reducing the hosts to 105 for 3 and silencing the crowd for a while.
Rizwan and Salman Lead the Fightback
At that crucial stage, Mohammad Rizwan (55) and Agha Salman (62) produced a steady 91-run stand for the fourth wicket. Their calm partnership rebuilt Pakistan’s innings and laid the foundation for a chase that went right down to the wire.
A Dramatic Finish
South Africa’s late burst brought the game to life again, with Pakistan losing wickets in quick succession. Needing runs off the final over, the tail held its nerve to cross the line in thrilling fashion.
Pakistan eventually sealed victory by two wickets, sparking jubilation among the Faisalabad crowd.
A Winning Start for Shaheen
The win not only gave Pakistan a 1–0 lead in the series but also handed Shaheen Afridi a perfect debut as ODI captain. His composure under pressure, aggressive field placements, and willingness to back young players drew praise from fans and former cricketers alike.
“It’s a proud moment to start my captaincy journey with a win at home,” Shaheen said after the match. “The boys showed great character. Credit goes to the whole team for believing till the end.”
Looking Ahead
With two ODIs remaining, Pakistan will aim to build on the momentum and continue their winning rhythm under Afridi’s leadership. For the fans, this victory marked the beginning of what many hope will be a new and fearless era of Pakistan cricket.
Match Summary
South Africa: 264 all out (49.3 overs)
Pakistan: 268/8 (49.5 overs)
Pakistan won by 2 wickets
Player of the Match: Agha Salman (62 off 67 balls)
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