Pakistan maintain their unbeaten record at Port Elizabeth: they've now won three of the four games they've played here against South Africa, with one no result. This win also means that South Africa have not beaten Pakistan in an ODI since 2013. Pakistan's record against South Africa since that last bilateral series here is now 5-1. What a turnaround after the Test series! Pakistan were always going to be more comfortable in this format, and they've shown that that they're a force to be reckoned with in white ball cricket, even away from home. It never seemed like South Africa had quite enough on the board, despite Hashim Amla's ton and Rassie van der Dussen's 93 on debut. No Pakistan batsman reached their scores, but with Imam leading the way with 86, Babar keeping things ticking over with 49, and Hafeez guiding the finish with an unbeaten 71, Pakistan have won with ease.
Irshad Ahmed: "How Pakistani Supporters wish that Hafeez was there to counter Olivier's bouncers in the Tests. "
Nisarg: "South Africa played really slow and they were lacking atleast 30 runs into add that total. Pakistan's bowling in middle and death overs were vital and their batting is exceptionally well - A indian Fan "
"The two guys batted really well, but perhaps there were 10 or 15 runs that we could have pushed a little harder," says Faf du Plessis. "Pakistan batted really well, you have to give credit where it's due. Some great learnings for us, and we know where we can get better. Tonight will be a learning curve. An in-form Hashim Amla is great for us. Rassie played beautifully, he had intent right through his innings. We need to adapt. You're not going to always get conditions for the fast bowlers. And Pakistan bowled better than us over fifty overs today."
Mohammad Hafeez is the Player of the Match for his unbeaten knock "It's a team effort," he says. "It was not a par score on this track, so we were confident chasing it. To be very honest, we were very sure as a team we should chase this one. The start given by Fakhar and Imam was brilliant, Babar gave us momentum, and it was a team effort."
"A great team effort," echoes Sarfraz Ahmed. "The batting was very responsible. In the middle overs, Shadab was great, as well as Imad. And the way our fast bowlers bowled was very good."
That's all from your commentary team tonight. Join us again for the second match at Kingsmead in Durban on Tuesday. Until then, goodbye!
END OF OVER:49 | 13 Runs | PAK: 266/5 (1 run required from 6 balls, RR: 5.42, RRR: 1.00)
- Mohammad Hafeez71 (63b)
- Shadab Khan17 (18b)
- Duanne Olivier10-0-73-2
- Kagiso Rabada9-1-50-0
Basit: "Hafeez just got himself another ten years"
14 off 12 needed
END OF OVER:48 | 4 Runs | PAK: 253/5 (14 runs required from 12 balls, RR: 5.27, RRR: 7.00)
- Shadab Khan12 (16b)
- Mohammad Hafeez63 (59b)
- Kagiso Rabada9-1-50-0
- Duanne Olivier9-0-60-2
Muttahar: "Hafeez is enjoying Steynless South Africa"
Three overs to go. All Pakistan need is a run a ball. Surely the game is as good as safe. Here's Rabada for a last blast
END OF OVER:47 | 10 Runs | PAK: 249/5 (18 runs required from 18 balls, RR: 5.29, RRR: 6.00)
- Mohammad Hafeez62 (58b)
- Shadab Khan9 (11b)
- Duanne Olivier9-0-60-2
- Kagiso Rabada8-1-46-0
Qasim: "Hello from cold wintery Buffalo NY, a Pakistan win will bring some much needed warmth. "
Usama khalid: "204 ODI by hafeez, can he be trusted to finish the game?"
Malik Murad: "Sitting here in Toronto in coffee shop, following cricinfo. Pak pls don't go until last over. Finish it ASAP. "
Four overs to go. Pakistan need 28. And here's Olivier to bowl his ninth
END OF OVER:46 | 5 Runs | PAK: 239/5 (28 runs required from 24 balls, RR: 5.19, RRR: 7.00)
- Shadab Khan8 (10b)
- Mohammad Hafeez53 (53b)
- Kagiso Rabada8-1-46-0
- Imran Tahir10-0-44-1
Moiz Shaikh: "Cant take eyes of the live score section. Going to my report for few seconds and rushing back to cricinfo.. Ahh making it look very interesting..."
Ali Mustafa: "My illegal streaming app just died. Cricinfo we meet again.." Welcome!