Proteas record thrilling victory

South Africa registered a thrilling one-run win over Pakistan in the first one-day international in Sharjah on Wednesday.

Wayne Parnell (3/41) and Imran Tahir (3/45) scalped three wickets apiece to wreck Pakistan’s batting line-up.

Earlier, Saeed Ajmal and Shahid Afridi helped Pakistan bundle South Africa out for 183.
Off-spinner Ajmal, who snared 4-30, dimissed Graeme Smith (20), Faf du Plessis (12) and skipper AB de Villiers (four) in his incisive six-over spell to leave South Africa struggling at 63-5 before Wayne Parnell hit a career best 56 to lift the innings after South Africa won the toss and opted to bat.

Parnell, who hit a century in South Africa’s domestic one-day earlier this month, hit six boundaries and a six off 70 balls and added an invaluable 52 for the ninth wicket with Lonwabo Tsotsobe (16 not out) to avoid a complete disaster. Parnell holed out in the 49th over, caught off Ajmal before Sohail Tanvir dismissed Imran Tahir in the final over.