PRETORIA, (Reuters) – A glittering century by skipper Babar Azam spurred Pakistan to clinch a last-ball, three-wicket victory over South Africa in the first day of a three-match series on Friday.
Babar scored 103 off 104 balls to lay the foundation for his side’s success at the Centurion as Pakistan scored 274-7 in response to South Africa’s 273-6.
Rassie van der Dussen hit 123 straight for the home team after they were batted but his efforts proved futile.
Azam appeared in a partnership of 177 runs for the second wicket with opener Imam-ul-Haq, who scored 70.
The 26-year-old Azam produced a stunning variety of strokes to emphasize his position as one of cricket’s best ODI batsmen.
The pair seemed to have taken the game away from South Africa, though three quick wickets for Anrich Nortje temporarily braked Pakistan’s march as they fell from 186-2 to 203-5.
Forty runs to Mohamed Rizwan and 33 Shadab Khan put them back in charge and Pakistan needed just three runs off the latter over to win.
But they did heavy weather for success before Faheem Ashraf secured a single game to secure a wide victory.
South Africa initially struggled and were reduced to 55-4 before Van der Dussen and David Miller set up a 116 run partnership for the fifth wicket.
It ended when Miller taunted 50 overs off 56 balls but Van der Dussen and his next two partners – Andile Phehlukwayo and Kagiso Rabada – added 102 more runs off the last 14 overs to set a decent target.
The next ODI will be played in Johannesburg today.