Pakistan staged a remarkable lower-order fightback to post a competitive 269-9 in the first innings of the second One-day International against South Africa at the Iqbal Stadium in Faisalabad on Thursday, after a top-order collapse had threatened to derail their effort.
Standout performances came from opener Saim Ayub, who anchored the early recovery with a composed 53, and Salman Ali Agha, whose patient 69 formed the backbone of the middle order.
Mohammad Nawaz delivered a match-turning 59, blending responsibility with aggression, while Faheem Ashraf’s brisk 28 injected crucial momentum in the death overs.
Electing to bat first under clear skies, Pakistan suffered an early jolt when opener Fakhar Zaman was dismissed for a three-ball duck in the first over, gloving a sharp Nandre Burger bouncer to wicket-keeper Quinton de Kock.
Babar Azam looked tentative and fell for 11, edging a length delivery from Burger to first slip. Mohammad Rizwan lasted just four balls before being bowled for four, as Burger’s swing and seam movement reduced the hosts to 22 for 3 in the fifth over.
Saim and Salman then steadied the innings with a crucial 92-run partnership for the fourth wicket.
Saim, dropped early, played with composure to reach a gritty 53 off 66 balls, including five fours and a six, before playing it into the hands of pacer Corbin Bosch off his own bowling in the 25th over.
Salman, anchoring the middle order, batted with patience for his 69 off 106 balls, finding the boundary five times before being yorked by Bosch in the 41st over.
Hussain Talat’s brief stay ended for 10, caught off Nqaba Peter’s leg-spin, leaving Pakistan struggling at 131 for 5.
However, Nawaz turned the tide with a belligerent 59 off 59 balls, striking three fours and four sixes. His aggressive strokeplay, particularly against the spinners, lifted the scoring rate.
Faheem chipped in with a quickfire 28 off 18 balls, including two sixes, before falling to Burger.
The final overs belonged to Pakistan’s tail. Nawaz’s late assault, including two massive sixes off Peter, and a cameo from Mohammad Wasim (12 not out) propelled the hosts to 90 runs in the last 10 overs.
Burger was the pick of the South African bowlers, claiming 4-46, while Bosch supported with 2-58. Peter took 3-55 but was expensive in the death overs.
