(UTV | COLOMBO) – Wicketkeeper Mohammad Rizwan hit an unbeaten 74 as Pakistan chased 189 with a ball to spare to beat South Africa in the Twenty20 series opener.
Pakistan required 11 from the last over, and three from two balls, with an overthrow sealing a four-wicket win.
Rizwan, who hit nine fours and two sixes, shared 41 with Babar Azam, 45 with Fakhar Zaman and 48 Faheem Ashraf.
Earlier South Africa made 188-6 with opener Aiden Markram making 51 and captain Heinrich Klaasen 50.
Left-arm spinner Mohammad Nawaz took 2-21 for the tourists, while Hassan Ali, who hit nine off three balls to guide Pakistan home, claimed 2-28.
Pakistan needed 52 from four overs, and 38 from 18 balls, before left-arm pace bowler Beuran Hendricks’ (3-32) 18th over went for 16 to leave Pakistan in control.
The second match in the four-match series takes place on Monday, before games on Wednesday and Friday.