South Africa’s promising start with the bat wasn’t enough to prevent a narrow two-wicket defeat to Pakistan in the opening ODI at the Iqbal Stadium in Faisalabad on Tuesday.

Despite early control of the game, the Proteas’ middle-order collapse and late nerves with the ball saw Pakistan chase down 264 with two balls to spare – their highest successful run chase at the venue.

Put in to bat first, South Africa looked solid through openers Lhuan-dre Pretorius and Quinton de Kock, who combined for a fluent 98-run stand. Pretorius impressed on debut, reaching a half-century off 53 balls and eventually scoring 60 off 61, showing maturity beyond his years. De Kock, playing his first ODI in two years, added 63 from 71 deliveries in a welcome return to form. However, after both fell in quick succession, Pakistan’s spinners turned the momentum.

Skipper Matthew Breetzke (42) and debutant Sinethemba Qeshile (22) tried to steady things, but the lower order struggled as the pitch slowed. South Africa lost nine wickets for just 116 runs, folding for 263 in 49.1 overs. Corbin Bosch (41 off 40) added some late resistance, but the Proteas knew they were at least 20 runs short of a commanding total.

Pakistan’s chase began confidently, with Saim Ayub and Fakhar Zaman putting on 87 for the first wicket before South Africa struck back, dismissing three batters for just 18 runs – including skipper Babar Azam for seven. That gave the Proteas a lifeline, but Muhammad Rizwan (55 off 74) and Salman Ali Agha steadied Pakistan with a vital 91-run partnership that pulled the hosts back on track.

South Africa refused to give in, taking regular wickets in the closing stages to drag the game deep. Lungi Ngidi, Bosch, and Donovan Ferreira each claimed two wickets, while Bjorn Fortuin’s economical 1/38 off 10 overs kept the pressure on. But Pakistan’s tail held its nerve, with Shaheen Shah Afridi’s towering six and a last-over leg bye sealing victory in front of a roaring Faisalabad crowd.

After the match, Breetzke admitted his side “were 20–30 runs short” but praised his bowlers for fighting until the end. With two matches remaining at the same venue, South Africa will look to build on their positives – particularly the form of Pretorius and De Kock – as they aim to level the three-match series on Thursday.