Pakistan surrenders first ODI by one run

South African bowler Wayne Parnell (2nd L) celebrates with teammates after taking a wicket of Pakistan's captain Misbah ul Haq (unseen) during the first one-day in Sharjah Cricket Stadium in Sharjah on October 30, 2013. PHOTO: AFP

SHARJAH: South Africa beat Pakistan by one run in the first One Day International (ODI) between the two countries in Sharjah.

Chasing a target of 184, Pakistan fell one run short as they were bowled out for 182. Ahmad Shehzad was the highest scorer from Pakistan as he made 58 runs off 92 balls, while captain Misbahul Haq scored 31 off 49 balls.

Imran Tahir and Wayne Parnell took 3 wickets each.

An impressive bowling performance by Pakistan saw South Africa back in the pavilion within 49.5 overs for a small score of 183 in the first One Day International between the two countries in Sharjah on Wednesday, according to Espncricinfo.

The Proteas got off to a bad start right after AB de Villers won the toss and elected to bat first.

Mohammad Irfan generated extra bounce to get Colin Ingram caught behind on the second ball of the innings.

JP Duminy looked in fine touch and appeared to rebuild the innings with Smith after the early loss, but ended up pulling one straight to square leg off Sohail Tanvir in the tenth over.

From there on, a regular series of wickets ensured South Africa never quite got back into the game, but they did well to stretch their total to 183 despite having been 129 for eight at the end of 35 overs.

Saeed Ajmal got Smith stumped for 20, trapped du Plessis lbw for 12 and claimed the precious wicket of AB de Villiers for a score of just four in a caught-and-bowled dismissal with South Africa standing at 63 for five.

Ajmal took four wickets in all, taking his ODI tally to 150 by the end of the innings. Afridi grabbed three wickets, with two and one going to Sohail Tanvir and Mohammad Irfan respectively.

For the Proteas, Wayne Parnell top scored with 56 before being caught by Shehzad at long-on off Ajmal.

Pakistan played three seamers. Umar Akmal is back and so is Umar Amin, in place of Asad Shafiq.

The Proteas are resting Dale Steyn while Amla, who went home for the birth of his child, is not back either.

Pakistan

Ahmed Shehzad, Nasir Jamshed, Mohammad Hafeez, Misbah-ul-Haq*, Umar Amin, Umar Akmal†, Shahid Afridi, Sohail Tanvir, Wahab Riaz, Saeed Ajmal, Mohammad Irfan.

South Africa

CA Ingram, GC Smith, JP Duminy, AB de Villiers*†, F du Plessis, DA Miller, R McLaren, WD Parnell, M Morkel,Imran Tahir, LL Tsotsobe