Pakistan held their nerve to beat South Africa by two wickets in a nail-biting first ODI in Faisalabad on Tuesday, taking a 1-0 lead in the three-match series.

Chasing 264, Pakistan appeared in control after Mohammad Rizwan (55) and Salman Agha (62) put on a 91-run stand for the fourth wicket, but late wickets from Corbin Bosch and George Linde dragged the match into the final over. Mohammad Nawaz struck a decisive six in the penultimate over before a leg-bye sealed victory with just two wickets and two balls remaining.

Earlier, Quinton de Kock (63) and debutant Lhuan-dre Pretorius (57) gave South Africa a strong start, but Pakistan’s spinners and seamers combined to halt their momentum. Naseem Shah (3-40) and Abrar Ahmed (3-53) led the attack as South Africa collapsed from a promising 98 for one to 263 all out.

Debutant and part-time offspinner Donovan Ferreira impressed for the visitors, dismissing both Pakistan openers, while Bosch (2-32) and Lungi Ngidi (2-46) kept the chase alive until the very end. Despite their late fightback, South Africa were left ruing a handful of missed chances and a total that proved just short.

The teams meet again later this week for the second ODI, with South Africa needing a win to stay in the series.