Imam-ul-Haq made his fourth ODI fifty

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Imam-ul-Haq and Mohammad Hafeez scored 86 and 71 not out respectively as Pakistan took down South Africa by five wickets in the first ODI in Port Elizabeth.

Opting to bat first, South Africa got off to a fantastic start as Hashim Amla and Reeza Hendricks amassed an 82-run partnership before Hendricks was caught by Hasan Ali at midwicket off the bowling of Shadab Khan for 45.

Amla and debutant Rassie van der Dussen kept the runs flowing with a 155-run stand, during which both batsmen sailed past their fifties and were on the verge of bringing up their hundreds.

Rassie van der Dussen made a strong start to his ODI career

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However, Van der Dussen was unable to reach the triple figure mark as he was caught by Shoaib Malik at deep mid-off off the bowling of Hasan for 93, which came off 101 balls and included six boundaries and three sixes.

Amla went on to score an unbeaten 108, which came off 120 deliveries and included seven boundaries and a six, as South Africa finished on 266/2 off their 50 overs.

Hashim Amla scored his 27th ODI century

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Hasan and Shadab picked up one wicket apiece.

Chasing 267 to win, Pakistan made a solid start to their innings as Imam and Fakhar Zaman put together a 45-run partnership before Zaman was caught by Dwaine Pretorius at fine leg off the bowling of debutant Duanne Olivier for 25.

Imam and Babar Azam kept the scoreboard ticking with a 94-run stand, during which Imam cruised past his half-century, before Azam was clean bowled by Hendricks for 49.

Imam went on to score a 101-ball 86, which included five boundaries and two sixes, before he was sent packing by Olivier.

Even though Malik and captain Sarfraz Ahmed fell shortly after, Hafeez ensured Pakistan reached their target thanks to his unbeaten 71, which came off 63 balls and included eight boundaries and two sixes.

Mohammad Hafeez struck his 35th half-century in ODI cricket

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Olivier was the most successful bowler with two wickets, while Hendricks, Imran Tahir and Andile Phehlukwayo claimed one wicket each.

Hafeez was named Man of the Match.