Salman shines in Pakistan’s last over thrilling victory over South Africa in three-match ODI series opener

Salman Ali Agha top scored for Pakistan as they snatched a last-over victory over South Africa on Tuesday in an exciting finish to the first of three One Day Internationals at Faisalabad.

Salman scored 62 as Pakistan won by two wickets with two balls remaining as they successfully chased down a 264-run target.

Pakistan put South Africa in to bat and the tourists’ opening pair put on a 98-run partnership before teenager Lhuan-dre Pretorius, who scored 57 off 60 balls on his ODI debut, was expertly caught at point.

Quinton de Kock, back in the ODI ranks after a two-year absence, was South Africa’s top scorer with 63 and Corbin Bosch made a quick-fire 41 in the last overs before South Africa were bowled out for 263 with five balls to spare.

Fakhar Zaman (45) and Saim Ayub (39) got Pakistan off to a solid 87-run first-wicket start and they kept on course as Mohammad Rizwan hit 55 and featured in a key 91-run fourth-wicket partnership with Salman. Rizwan had been replaced as captain last month.

There was a wobble for Pakistan, who were seemingly coasting to victory when they lost three wickets in successive overs, but new captain Shaheen Shah Afridi was there at the end to help see them over the line.

The two teams meet again at Iqbal Stadium, hosting international cricket after a 17-year absence, on Thursday.

Rauf and Suryakumar punished: Pakistan paceman Haris Rauf and Indian captain Suryakumar Yadav were punished by the International Cricket Council (ICC) on Tuesday for their inflammatory behaviour in September’s Asia Cup.

India and Pakistan met three times during the tournament -- India beating their bitter rivals in all three matches, including the Sept. 28 final in Dubai -- and on each occasion the sides refused to shake hands.

Rauf has been handed a two-match suspension and will miss the next two ODIs against South Africa for violating the ICC Code of Conduct during the final clash against India on Sept.28 in the Asian Cricket Council (ACC) Asia Cup, the International Cricket Council (ICC) announced in Dubai on Tuesday.

The ICC confirmed the disciplinary decisions related to the Asia Cup 2025 India–Pakistan fixtures, stating that the sanctions were imposed following hearings conducted by members of the ICC Elite Panel of Match Referees.

“Following a hearing conducted by ICC Match Referee Richie Richardson, Haris Rauf (Pakistan) was again found guilty of a breach of Article 2.21. He was fined 30 per cent of his match fee and received two additional demerit points,” ICC said in a statement.

“This takes Rauf’s total to four demerit points within a 24-month period, resulting in two suspension points under the ICC’s disciplinary framework. In accordance with the Code, Rauf is therefore suspended for Pakistan’s ODI games against South Africa on Nov.4 and 6,” it added.

Rauf was previously found guilty of the same offence and fined 30 per cent of his match fee during their group stage match on Sept.14, resulting in two demerit points.

Meanwhile, Pakistan batter Sahibzada Farhan has been issued an official warning and handed one demerit point for the same code of conduct breach for his gun celebration after scoring a fifty against India during the Super 4 clash in Dubai.

In the Sept.14 encounter, India captain Suryakumar was found guilty of a breach of Article 2.21 of the ICC Code of Conduct, which relates to conduct that brings the game into disrepute. He was fined 30 per cent of his match fee and received two demerit points.

For the Sept.21 match, Indian pacer Arshdeep Singh was cleared of a charge under Article 2.6 related to obscene or insulting gestures, with no penalty imposed.

During the final on Sept.28, Jasprit Bumrah admitted to a Level 1 offence under Article 2.21, receiving an official warning and one demerit point, thus avoiding a formal disciplinary hearing.

Agencies