South Africa vs Pakistan, 1st ODI at Paarl, SA vs PAK, Dec 17 2024 - Match Result

A 1-0 lead and Pakistan well placed to follow the series win against Australia with one in South Africa. The hosts will look to put on an improved performance with the bat against spin. It'll all add to the preparations for the Champions Trophy next year. Paarl, as a venue, was great too, offered good conditions and fan engagement. Hope that's the case in Cape Town too. For now, I'm Ekanth, signing off on behalf of Rvel Zahid and M Venkat Raghav.

Mohammad Rizwan, Pakistan captain: It was a team game. They attacked us, our spinners squeezed them. We collapsed, but Salman and Ayub played a mature innings. We believe our bowlers and they bowled well. In ODIs, if you're taking wickets after the powerplay, you're good. The way Salman gave away the award to Saim lifts the team.

Aiden Markram, SA captain: We were looking at 270-290, we were 80% with both bat and ball and a few runs short. We will reflect and see how we can be better in Cape Town. Klaasen's knock was good, openers started well. The fight comes with the SA culture, nice to see the guys show it. Proud of the character too.

Saim says they were four down and you have to keep the belief and calm. He is more experienced and his company helped a lot.

Salman Agha, POTM - and he says he wants to give it away to Saim Ayub, both of them take a picture together. We just wanted to take the game as deep as possible and get the boundary when available. His knock set up the game, if he didn't play we wouldn't have won. We were behind but he scored 100 and it was an amazing feat, hence he deserves the award.

Fahim : "Today's summary: 2 SA's beat SA... Saim Ayub, Salman Agha and South Africa "

Hamza: "Hats off to agha and saim, but should not forget abrar who went economical in his last 5 overs conceded only 8 runs."

9:45pm: A really good game. Pakistan were on the ropes in a few situations but managed to get back. The fifth-wicket stand - like in the first innings - was crucial. Ayub started slow but went on alongside Salman, who almost certainly will be POTM. The running had been on and off. But it was entertaining too. For SA, Rabada was excellent, Baartman took a couple of key wickets and Shamsi showed control. Baartman's 22-run over later in the piece allowed Pakistan to flourish. Lot of activity towards the end, engaging match.

Ring field in, hit the outfield and this will be over

Mid-on, mid-off in. Actually mid-on goes back

Both batters trying to figure out how many balls remaining. Naseem thinks two, Salman two

Set batter now on

Just 8 needed off 12. Naseem on strike vs Baartman

15 off 18 needed.