The Proteas posted 266-2 thanks to a ton from Hashim Amla and a debut half-century from Rassie van der Dussen in the first ODI against Pakistan.
The Proteas got their innings off to fluid start. Reeza Hendricks and Hashim Amla put pressure on the Pakistan bowlers as they racked up an 82-run opening stand.
Hendricks led the attack scoring freely against the seamers, hitting five fours for 67-ball his 45. He attempted to take on the spinner a little too hastily and mistimed a sweep shot that swirled in the Port Elizabeth win to Hasan Ali at midwicket.
Amla’s job was now to take the pressure off the debutant, Rassie van der Dussen, who took six balls to get off the mark. The pressure was lifted slightly when Amla brought up his 37th half-century in 52 balls.
Van der Dussen trotted away, stacking up a number of singles, but with the Proteas only on 160-1 by 35 overs, the Proteas needed to up the ante to post a defendable score.
Van der Dussen smashed a six over midwicket to bring up a maiden half-century in 65 balls that included five fours and a six.
Pakistan continued to squeeze the Proteas effectively as the run rate remained at under five an over and that took the hosts to 190-1 by the end of the 40th over. Despite this, the pair continued to knock singles around.
With eight overs left, Van der Dussen opened up and hit a six, four as South Africa took 13 off Usman Shinwari’s eight over. The pair, however, went back into their shell scoring five singles in the 44th over.
Van der Dussen showed unselfishness to look to score quickly instead of a debut century, and as a result, lost his wicket on 93 off 101 balls (six fours, three sixes). This brought his 155-run partnership with Amla to an end.
Amla brought up his 27th century with a six on the last ball of the 47th over to bring the Proteas’ 250. His last ton came 13 innings ago against Bangladesh on 15 October 2017.
David Miller was brought out early to find the fence, but he only managed to contribute two fours for his 12-ball 16.
The Proteas set a target of 267 for Pakistan to win.
South Africa – Hashim Amla (10), Rassie van der Dussen (93); Shadab Khan (1-41), Hasan Ali (1-42).
Photo: Richard Huggard/Gallo Images
