Saim Ayub's brilliant 109 and Salman Agha's all-round brilliance helped Pakistan clinch a thrilling 3-wicket win over South Africa in the first ODI on Tuesday, December 17. Chasing 240, Pakistan teetered at 60 for 4 before Ayub's 141-run stand with Salman Agha and Agha's composed unbeaten 82 guided the team to victory with three balls and three wickets to spare.

Pakistan's chase started disastrously, with Marco Jansen cleaning up Abdullah Shafique with a perfect inswinger. Ottniel Baartman then claimed Babar Azam for a laboured 23, followed by Mohammad Rizwan's dismissal and a disastrous run-out involving Kamran Ghulam, leaving Pakistan in dire straits. At 60 for 4 in the 20th over, Ayub and Agha represented the team's final hope.

SA vs PAK 1st ODI: Highlights | Scorecard

Ayub, who initially struggled to 31 off 57 balls, gradually found his rhythm, combining clever strike rotation with occasional boundaries. Agha complemented him with his calculated approach, extracting runs even without his power-hitting prowess. As South Africa's fielding intensity waned, the partnership flourished, crossing fifty and later 100. Ayub unleashed his natural flair, hammering Baartman for two sixes and two fours to bring the required rate under control. A stunning six off Kagiso Rabada brought up Ayub's second ODI century in just three innings.

However, the pressure of Pakistan's long tail remained. Ayub eventually fell, caught at fine leg, and Rabada followed up by dismissing Irfan Khan. Tabraiz Shamsi removed Shaheen Afridi, leaving the match on a knife-edge. But Agha and Naseem Shah managed the chase astutely, with Agha's timely six off Shamsi easing the tension. Agha sealed the win with a crisp boundary off Jansen, capping a remarkable recovery.

Earlier, Pakistan's bowlers delivered a disciplined performance, restricting South Africa to 239 for 9. Openers Tony de Zorzi and Ryan Rickleton raced to 70 without loss in 10 overs, but Salman Agha's surprise introduction turned the game. Agha trapped De Zorzi in front and bowled Rickleton, triggering a collapse that saw South Africa slump to 88 for 4. He later cleaned up Rassie van der Dussen and Tristan Stubbs, both beaten by deliveries that skidded through instead of turning.

South Africa's recovery depended on Heinrich Klaasen, who played a gritty knock of 86 off 97 balls. Klaasen found brief support from Aiden Markram, but Markram's dismissal off a mistimed Ayub long hop left Klaasen with little help. Marco Jansen struggled for 10 off 27 balls, while Pakistan's bowlers maintained unrelenting pressure.

Klaasen's innings ended when Shaheen Afridi delivered a seaming beauty to shatter his middle stump. Kagiso Rabada and Ottniel Baartman added 21 for the ninth wicket, but Pakistan's dominance ensured South Africa's total was below par.