Captain Babar leads Pakistan to thrilling win in first ODI – The Citizen

Babar Azam’s excellent century cancelled out Rassie van der Dussen’s good ton and arrange victory for Pakistan within the first ODI at Centurion on Friday, regardless of a fiery burst of quick bowing from Anrich Nortje that threatened to steal the match for South Africa.

Van der Dussen’s 123 not out off 134 balls lifted South Africa to 273 for six after they had been despatched in to bat and it was a tremendously decided innings by the 32-year-old which sadly nonetheless left him on the shedding aspect.

That was largely because of Babar compiling a masterful 103 off 104 balls, as peerless a show of unpolluted stroke-play and timing as you may hope to see. The captain added 177 off 181 balls for the second wicket with Imam-ul-Haq, the prolific ODI opener who helped lay a commanding platform for Pakistan together with his slickly gathered 70 off 80 deliveries.

Pakistan had been cruising at 181 for one after 31 overs when Nortje returned for a second spell and, bowling quick and aggressively, with loads of short-pitched deliveries, he brought on a lot consternation within the visiting batting line-up with a ferocious spell of 4 for 20 in 5 overs, leaving him with career-best figures of 4 for 51.

Proteas coach Mark Boucher had spoken earlier than the sport concerning the bowlers being aggressive within the center overs, however they reasonably paid lip service to that with the quick bowlers turning too rapidly to slower balls and cutters when regular Take a look at match tempo bowling was nonetheless very efficient on a pitch which assisted the seamers.

It was Mohammad Rizwan who continued his resurgence as a white-ball participant and steadied Pakistan’s nerves, scoring 40 off 52 balls, including 53 with Shadab Khan, whose 33 off 30 balls helped seal a three-wicket victory off the final ball because of Andile Phehlukwayo’s good final over.

Van der Dussen will lengthy bear in mind April 2 because the day he made his first worldwide century, having handed 50 in seven of his 16 ODI innings earlier than Friday, however with a highest rating of 95. His highest Take a look at rating is 98 and he has a T20 Worldwide better of 74 not out.

Proteas batsman Rassie van der Dussen recorded a maiden ODI century towards Pakistan at SuperSport park on Friday, serving to his aspect publish an honest rating after 50 overs. Image: Gordon Arons/Gallo Photographs

The phlegmatic right-hander reiterated that he’s the person for a disaster as he lifted the Proteas from 55 for 4, the house batsmen struggling towards glorious Pakistan seam bowling on a cheesy pitch that gave them loads of help. Van der Dussen saved composed, was disciplined in his shot-selection, but in addition confirmed nice placement when he capitalised on free deliveries.

The questions over South Africa’s greatest high three will probably be ongoing, nevertheless, as Quinton de Kock (18) sliced a catch to a large mid-off, Aiden Markram (19) performed too early and was caught in the same place, and new captain Temba Bavuma (1) threw his wicket away by steering an uppercut straight to deep backward level.

Heinrich Klaasen struggled to 1 off 21 balls earlier than being caught behind off a free drive, however the tide turned when David Miller got here to the crease. The veteran left-hander matched Van der Dussen for calmness, enjoying superbly by way of the off-side as he scored 50 off 56 balls and added 116 off 135 deliveries for the fifth wicket with the Pretoria-born participant.

Phehlukwayo may even be happy together with his contribution with the bat as he scored a priceless 29 and added one other 64, at a run-a-ball, for the seventh wicket with Van der Dussen.

The Pakistan tempo bowlers had been the chief risk with Faheem Ashraf main the way in which with one for 25 in 9 spectacular overs. Mohammad Hasnain took one for 52 in his full quota of 10 overs, whereas left-armer Shaheen Shah Afridi eliminated the openers and completed with two for 61.

For extra information your means, obtain The Citizen’s app for iOS and Android.