Pakistan beat South Africa by three wickets on Tuesday in the first One-Day International in Paarl to take a 1-0 lead in the three-match series.

Before the match, the Proteas suffered a major blow as the in-form and influential spinner Keshav Maharaj sustained a groin strain during the warm-up. This has put the key player in serious doubt for the two crucial World Test Championship Tests (WTC) against Pakistan. Additionally, big-hitting batter David Miller was rested as a precaution due to a left calf strain.

South Africa won the toss and elected to bat first at Boland Park, scoring 239/9 in their 50 overs. Heinrich Klaasen top-scored with 86, while Ryan Rickelton contributed 36.

Heinrich Klaasen. Photo: Cricinfo

Although the Proteas were scoring freely, they lost the wickets of Tony de Zorzi, Ryan Rickelton, Rassie van der Dussen, and Tristan Stubbs within the first 14 overs.

Klaasen and captain Aiden Markram steadied the ship somewhat, taking the score to 161/5 before Markram was dismissed for 35. Klaasen, looking to regain form, struck seven fours and two sixes in his 86-run knock off 97 balls.

Salman Agha was the standout bowler for Pakistan, taking 4/32 in his eight overs, while Abrar Ahmed chipped in with 2/32 in ten overs.

In reply, Saim Ayub scored a magnificent 109 off 119 balls, including ten fours and three sixes, while Salman Agha remained unbeaten on 82 off 90 balls, hitting four fours and two sixes. Pakistan reached the target with just three balls to spare.

Kagiso Rabada was the pick of the South African bowlers with 2/48 in 10 overs, while Ottniel Baartman took 2/37 in seven overs.

Reflecting on the game, Klaasen conceded South Africa fell short with the bat and the four wickets upfront dented their chances of putting up a competitive score on the wicket.

Haris Rauf. Photo: Cricinfo

“No, I think we were about 20-30 runs short. We played it like a normal Boland Park wicket, so we didn’t think it was a 300-plus score,” said Klaasen.

“But those four wickets falling in the space of four overs or something like that put us on the back foot because those were some of our key players. The ball started to reverse swing nicely at the back end of the innings, which made it difficult to just pull that trigger.

“We weren't happy with that score in our innings.” The second ODI will be played tomorrow (19/12) at Newlands in Cape Town.

OFM Sport/Morgan Piek  dg