Pakistan completed their highest successful chase in One Day International (ODI) history, overcoming South Africa by six wickets with six balls to spare in a thrilling Tri-Nation Series match in Karachi on Wednesday.
Pakistan's innings
With this victory, they secured a place in the final against New Zealand on Friday.
Chasing a formidable target of 353, Pakistan were in a precarious position at 91 for 3. However, a stunning 260-run partnership between Salman Ali Agha and Mohammad Rizwan turned the game on its head. Agha, who made his maiden ODI century, contributed a brilliant 134 runs off 103 balls, while Rizwan remained unbeaten on 122 runs off 115 balls.
South Africa, missing several key players, had earlier posted a challenging total of 352 for five in their allotted 50 overs. The innings was anchored by half-centuries from captain Temba Bavuma (82), Matthew Breetzke (83), and Heinrich Klaasen (87), as they took full advantage of a flat pitch and a lightning-fast outfield.
Pakistan's chase was initially slow, but once Agha and Rizwan settled, they displayed exceptional composure and skill. Agha, whose brilliant innings included 16 fours and 2 sixes, eventually fell to Ngidi for 134, but by then, Pakistan were within touching distance of the target.
This victory surpassed their previous highest successful chase of 349 against Australia in Lahore in 2022, and it delivered a timely boost for Pakistan as they prepared to host the Champions Trophy the following week.
With this win, Pakistan not only confirmed their place in the tri-nation series final but also set a new benchmark for successful run chases in ODIs.
South Africa's Innings
After opting to bat first, Heinrich Klaasen’s blistering 56-ball 87, Matthew Breetzke (83 off 84) and Temba Bavuma (82 off 96) helped South Africa post 353-run target for Pakistan in the third match of the tri-nation series at the revamped Karachi stadium on Wednesday.
Opting to bat first, Bavuma and Breetzke (83) stitched a good 51-run partnership before it was broken by Shaheen Shah Afridi.
But Bavuma had other plans and rebounded the Proteas’ innings by joining hands together with youngster Breetzke, continuing the sublime form in his only second ODI after that blistering 150 against New Zealand.
Bavuma was remarkable with the bat, clobbering 13 boundaries in his brilliant innings.
Breetzke was outstanding with the bat and plundered 83 runs, studding with 10 boundaries and one six.
Klassen clubbed 11 boundaries and three sixes to ensure the visitors scored the highest total by any team in Pakistan.
This score was also the highest ODI total against Pakistan.
For Pakistan, Shaheen Shah Afridi (2-66) bagged two wickets.
Khushdil Shah (1-39) and Naseem Shah (1-68) took a scalp each.
Abrar Ahmed (0-63), Mohammad Hasnain (0-72) and Salman Ali Agha (0-33) remained wicketless with the ball.
