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SA vs PAK 2024/25, South Africa vs Pakistan 1st ODI, Paarl Match Report, December 17, 2024

Posted on by Taylor Reeves
SA vs PAK 2024/25, South Africa vs Pakistan 1st ODI, Paarl Match Report, December 17, 2024

South Africa 239 for 9 (Klaasen 86, Agha 4-32, Abrar 2-32) vs Pakistan

A disciplined bowling performance from Pakistan, led by the surprising starring role of Salman Agha, saw South Africa restricted to 239 for 9 in Paarl. Agha’s intermittent offspin ran through the South African top and middle order after the hosts got off to a flying start and soon fell from 70 for no loss to 88 for 4 in ten overs. It was left to Heinrich Klaasen, who put all his fighting spirit aside for a valuable knock of 86 from 97 balls, to ensure his side’s bowling attack had something remarkable to defend.

But with South Africa winning the toss and opting to set a target in seemingly idyllic batting conditions, Pakistan will firmly believe their job is half done.

This is largely thanks to Agha, whose breakthrough in the innings was as sudden as it was unexpected. Openers Tony de Zorzi and Ryan Rickelton did well in the first powerplay, scoring over seven runs per over, and took the opening spell of Shaheen Afridi and Naseem Shah with ease without appearing to be taking any risks. Mohammad Rizwan may have introduced Agha into the attack just to break the momentum but it proved to be a wise decision.

Within four overs, South Africa’s batting line-up – and their position of advantage – was torn to shreds. It all started when Agha made one of them slide into de Zorzi and hold him in front of her. No verification was required. Rickelton hit him in his following over, but Agha would save his best for last. With the new batters suddenly unable to recognize it off the pitch or out of hand, Rassie van der Dussen and Tristan Stubbs went for a turn that wasn’t there and heard the rattle as their off-stump was bounced back.

Sensing that the spin was finding surprise success, Rizwan took out the entire cavalry. It didn’t take long for Abrar Ahmed to assert himself while Saim Ayub and Kamran Ghulam each took their turn to bowl. But Aiden Markram and Klaasen slowly began to regain control from Pakistan, battling through the middle overs and hoping to hold on before going big at the death. But they knew the innings was being played on a tightrope without a safety belt and it took a miss from Ayub’s long jump from Markram to topple them.

With Marco Jansen struggling badly throughout his innings, it was left to Klaasen to salvage as much as he could from what was left. The Pakistani sailors were also at their best, disciplined and spirited. This stand between Jansen and Klaasen made it to 50, but Jansen only managed 10 from 27 balls and only got that far thanks to the generosity of a dolly thrown by Haris Rauf.

Klaasen tried to keep hammering and earned a fifth ODI hundred; But Shaheen also deserved a wicket. It came over a beauty that edged Klaasen’s middle stump and sent it flying back; The rattle was perhaps the final nail in the coffin for the hosts’ innings. Kagiso Rabada and Ottniel Baartman limped along in the last few overs to add 21 for the ninth wicket, but Pakistan might feel at this point that they had done the real damage.

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