Pakistan beats South Africa by 23 runs in first ODI of three-match series

Pakistan has beaten South Africa by 23 runs in the first of three one-day internationals on Sunday.

According to Sport24, this was the first time in seven attempts that Pakistan had won an ODI at Newlands and came on top of their six-run victory in the second T20 International at the same venue on Friday evening.

The match was a remarkable triumph for the two Pakistan debutants, Bilawal Bhati and Anwar Ali, who rescued their side from a disastrous start after they had won the toss and enabled them to set a target which they were able to defend as the surface got progressively lower and slower, the report said.

The Pakistan total of 218 did not appear to be particularly daunting although the Proteas also struggled to put decent partnerships together in spite of the normal assured batting performance from Jacques Kallis who did not look as though he had had precious time in the middle, the report added.

The Proteas target came down to a run a ball in the last 10 overs with 62 runs and only three wickets intact with Steyn, Morkel and Imran Tahir left to support the one established batsman, the report further said.

The Pakistan spinners again played a huge role with Hafeez taking 1/34 in 10, Shahid Afridi 1/34 in 7 and Saeed Ajmal 2/28 from his 10, according to the report.