1st ODI: South Africa beat Pakistan by 1 Run in the Low Scoring Game at Sharjah

South Africa won by 1 run against Pakistan in the 1st ODI Cricket Match Played at Sharjah Cricket Stadium on 30th October 2013. Pakistan suffered a horrible collapse, losing their last 6 wickets for 17 runs to lose the first ODI by 1 run.

A dramatic end to this game and you can expect only Pakistan to lose any match from this position. Pakistan were at a comfortable position at one stage at 135/3, but they lost 7 wickets for just 42 runs from there on. To be specific, after the fall of Umar Amin they lost last 6 wickets for 17 runs. Tahir, who was playing an ODI for South Africa after 2 years, came back well in his last spell to pick up 3 wickets. Morkel was excellent and he held his nerve to pick up the last wicket and help the Proteas snatch a victory from the jaws of defeat. Pakistan were the real chokers today and they have only themselves to blame for this defeat. The partnership between Parnell and Tsotsobe towards the end proved to be the real difference.

Earlier South Africa have won the toss and chose to bat. Pakistan will be happy with their performance after losing the toss. Their bowlers hit the right areas initially and gave nothing away. The seamers accounted for two early wickets and then the introduction of Saeed Ajmal saw Pakistan taking full control of the innings. He picked up 3 wickets in quick succession to deny the visitors. Shahid Afridi supported him very well at the other end but the hosts couldn't prevent a gritty fifty from Wayne Parnell who put on a record 9th wicket stand (52 runs) in ODIs at Sharjah with Lonwabo Tsotsobe. He has given his bowlers something to work with even though the target is not a big one.

South Africa 183 (Parnell 56, Ajmal 4-30, Afridi 3-37)
Pakistan 182 (Shehzad 58, Tahir 3-45, Parnell 3-41)
Man of the Match  WD Parnell (South Africa)
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