Salman’s 62 Guides Pakistan to Two-Wicket Win Over South Africa

In a nail-biting ODI clash, Pakistan edged past South Africa by two wickets with just two balls to spare, successfully chasing a target of 264 in Karachi. Salman top-scored with a crucial 62, guiding his team to a memorable victory in a high-pressure run chase.

Pakistan opted to bowl first, and South Africa’s innings got off to a solid start, with their opening pair putting on a 98-run partnership. Teenage sensation Lhuandre Pretorius, making his ODI debut, impressed with a composed 57 off 60 balls before being brilliantly caught at point.

Quinton de Kock, returning to the ODI arena after a two-year hiatus, played a composed innings of 63, anchoring the South African innings. Corbin Bosch provided a late surge, smashing a quick 41 in the final overs to push the total to 263 before the team was bowled out with five deliveries remaining.

Pakistan’s chase began positively with Fakhar Zaman (45) and Saim Ayub (39) laying a strong foundation through an 87-run opening partnership. Mohammad Rizwan, who was replaced as Pakistan’s captain last month, contributed a vital 55 and combined with Salman to forge a decisive 91-run fourth-wicket stand.

However, Pakistan experienced a tense moment as they lost three wickets in successive overs, briefly putting the chase in jeopardy. With nerves running high, new captain Shaheen Shah Afridi played a composed hand alongside Salman to guide Pakistan past the finish line and secure the two-wicket win.

The match also marked a significant moment for the return of international cricket to Iqbal Stadium after a 17-year gap. Fans can look forward to the next ODI between the two sides at the historic venue on Thursday, promising another exciting encounter.