South Africa‘s batting effort against Pakistan in the first ODI in Port Elizabeth turned out to be one of the strangest ones in recent memory.
Batting first, the hosts got off a good start with opener Hashim Amla (108 not out) and Reeza Hendricks (45) adding 82 in 18 overs. Thereafter, debutant Rassie van der Dussen made a fine 93 and added 155 with Amla.
But despite the fine knocks and wickets in hand, South Africa only managed a score of 266-2 in their 50 overs on Saturday.
It was the second lowest total in the history of 50-over ODIs for a team batting first that had lost only two wickets.
Pakistan, interestingly, hold the record for the lowest first innings total after losing just two wickets in the entire innings. In the 1992 World Cup in Australia, Pakistan laboured to 220-2 against a strong West Indies team and easily lost the match by 10 wickets.
In the Port Elizabeth ODI, South Africa looked well-placed to post a total of close to 300 after being 200-1 in the 42nd over. But excellent death bowling from Pakistan – led by Hasan Ali (1-42) and Shadab Khan (1-41) – restricted South Africa’s scoring opportunities.
After crossing 200, the Proteas hit just six boundaries in the last eight overs, which is also great credit to Pakistan’s bowlers.
