Ayub and Agha the heroes as Pakistan ace tense chase
Saim Ayub’s dream debut season soared to new heights as a magnificent hundred from the Pakistan opener helped seal a thrilling win in the first ODI over South Africa in Paarl. Taking charge of a game that looked a lost cause when Pakistan lost four early in a chase of 240, he struck up a 141-run partnership with Salman Agha, whose all-round contribution began with a four-wicket haul and culminated in an unbeaten 82 as he held his nerve in a tense late stand with Naseem Shah to get Pakistan over the line with three balls and as many wickets to spare.All of this appeared a world away when Pakistan stumbled badly in pursuit of what should have been a below-par first-innings effort from South Africa. Marco Jansen cleaned up Abdullah Shafique with a pearler first up, swinging it back in to brush off stump. Babar Azam muddled through for a turgid 23 that does little to allay concerns over his own form, with Ottneil Baartman – who began with two maiden overs, drawing him into a miscue that went straight to the cover fielder. It was swiftly followed by captain Mohammad Rizwan being cleaned up off the pads, and a flustered Pakistan were in a generous enough mood to gift South Africa another wicket when Kamran Ghulam set off for a run Ayub had no interest in.Pakistan’s long tail continues to be a problem, and Irfan Khan’s teething problem continues, so when the visitors found themselves at 60 for 4 in the 20th over, the Ayub-Agha partnership was their last realistic shot at an unlikely victory. South Africa had the chance to slam the door in Pakistan’s face, but when Agha nicked off to Aiden Markram on 6, Heinrich Klaasen shelled a sharp chance.Gradually, imperceptibly at first, Pakistan began to claw their way back into the game. Ayub, who had until then scrapped uncharacteristically to 31 off 57 at one stage, began to find regular singles and doubles, as well as the occasional boundary. Agha is perhaps ideally suited for that kind of role, possessing the wile to squeeze out runs even if the power hitting doesn’t come naturally to him.As South Africa’s intensity and quality in the field dropped, the partnership steadily built, sneaking past 50, and eventually striding past three figures. Ayub, who had by now worked his way into the sort of flair that he’s naturally known for, turned the screw against Baartman, whose figures until then read 5-2-9-2. Two sixes and two fours brought the asking rate back down under a run a ball before Ayub slapped Rabada for a majestic six over midwicket to bring up his second ODI hundred in three innings.But with a long tail, there was the inevitable risk. Ayub had been playing with fire helping it to the deep-third and fine-leg boundaries, and eventually ended up holing out to the latter. Kagiso Rabada, sensing his opportunity, prised out Irfan four deliveries later, and South Africa were into Pakistan’s tail.Tabraiz Shamsi made short work of Shaheen Afridi, but Naseem and Agha realised the asking rate was under control, and went about ticking the last few runs off methodically. There was the occasional frenzy, but Agha displayed the steel that has stood him out since he integrated himself so effectively into the team. He picked his moment, slapping Shamsi over the top for a six that brought the asking rate back under control. By the end, all Pakistan needed were singles, and there was still time to finish with a flourish when Agha drove Jansen back down the ground to seal the win.Earlier in the day, a disciplined bowling performance from Pakistan, saw Pakistan restrict South Africa to 239 for 9 in Paarl. Agha’s part-time offspin ran through the South African top and middle order after the hosts made a flying start as they slumped from 70 for 0 in ten overs to 88 for 4 soon after. It was left to Heinrich Klaasen, who set aside his all-out belligerence for a valuable knock of 86 off 97, to make sure his side’s bowling attack had something of note to defend.Heinrich Klaasen made 86 off 97 balls•Gallo Images/Getty Images
Agha’s burst into bowling prominence was as sudden as it was unexpected. Openers Tony de Zorzi and Ryan Rickleton were coasting along in the first powerplay at over seven runs per over, making light work of Shaheen and Naseem’s opening spell without appearing to take any risks. Rizwan may only have introduced Agha into the attack to break up the momentum, but it turned out to be an inspired choice.Inside four overs, South Africa’s batting line-up – as well as their position of advantage – was cut to ribbons. It all began when Agha got one to skid into de Zorzi and trap him in front; no review was necessary. Rickleton chopped one on off from him in his following over, but Agha would save his best for last. With the new batters suddenly unable to read him either off the pitch or out of the hand, Rassie van der Dussen and Tristan Stubbs played for turn that wasn’t there, and heard the rattle of their off stump being knocked back.Rizwan sensed spin was finding surprise purchase here, and brought out the full cavalry. Before long, Abrar Ahmed was powering through, while Ayub and Ghulam each got turns. But Markram and Klaasen were slowly beginning to wrestle control back from Pakistan, ticking along through the middle overs, hoping to hold out before going big at the death. But they knew the innings was being played on a tightrope without a safety harness, and it took a miscue off an Ayub long hop from Markram to topple them off it.With Jansen struggling badly throughout his innings, it was left to Klaasen to salvage what he could from what was left. Pakistan’s seamers were at their disciplined, spirited best, too. That Jansen-Klaasen stand made it to 50, but Jansen had managed a mere 10 off 27, and only got that far thanks to the largesse of a dolly Haris Rauf put down. Klaasen tried to continue hammering away, and would have fully deserved a fifth ODI hundred, but Shaheen, too, deserved a wicket. It came via a beauty, seaming in and knocking back the middle stump of Klaasen; the rattle may well have been the final nail in the coffin for the hosts’ innings.Kagiso Rabada and Ottniel Baartman hobbled along for the last few overs, adding 21 for the 9th wicket, but Pakistan had inflicted much of the damage by then through Agha. With Ayub, they would see to it that the job was finished in a game the two dominated so thoroughly that when Agha was awarded the Player of the Match, he would invite Ayub to take it off him instead.