Hashim Amla defended South Africa’s selection following their five-wicket defeat at the hands of Pakistan in the series opener of the five-match One Day International series on Saturday (January 19) in Port Elizabeth.

Despite managing to get only two South African wickets for 266 runs on a slow St George’s Park pitch, Pakistan managed to cross the line easily by five-wickets in the first ODI.

The Proteas side’s defeat badly highlighted an unbalanced attack for a slow pitch and they were highly criticized for picking only one specialist spinner in Imran Tahir in the line-up for the slow Port Elizabeth wicket, which demanded more spin options, as the mainstream seam attack failed to make an impression.

However, Reeza Hendricks came on to bowl three overs of part-time off-spin and even managed to get the key wicket of Babar Azam, but Pakistan successfully crossed the line at St George’s Park, as South Africa's slow batting towards the end did not allow the hosts to put on a testing total on the board.

Speaking at the post-match press conference, Amla told media, “So Reeza came in and chipped in with his offies. But captain and coach had an idea of how we were going to win, whether it was going to be an extra spinner or all-rounder. I really can’t say much about whether we got it right or wrong, it’s about what you feel will win you the game on the day.”

He continued, “The ball started to turn towards the evening. So Reeza came in and chipped in with his offies. But captain and coach had an idea of how we were going to win, whether it was going to be an extra spinner or all-rounder. I really can’t say much about whether we got it right or wrong, it’s about what you feel will win you the game on the day.”

Meanwhile, Proteas batting was also criticized but Hashim, who scored 108 and became the fastest batsman to reach 27 ODI hundreds in just 167 innings, said batting at slow St George’s Park pitch was difficult, saying: “Look, I would’ve traded my hundred for a win.”

Amla signed off by saying, “It was a tough wicket to bat. I know we only lost two wickets, but it was really difficult to get the ball away. The Pakistan spinners were used well. They bowled really well towards the back end, we just couldn’t get the acceleration we required.”

(With The Citizen Inputs)