Pakistan completed their highest successful chase in One Day International (ODI) history, defeating 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, Pakistan secured a place in the final against New Zealand on Friday.
Chasing a challenging target of 353, Pakistan found themselves in a difficult spot at 91 for 3. However, a remarkable 260-run partnership between Salman Ali Agha and Mohammad Rizwan turned the game around. Agha, who scored his maiden ODI century, played a brilliant knock of 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), taking full advantage of a flat pitch and a fast outfield.
Pakistan’s chase started slowly, but once Agha and Rizwan settled in, they displayed exceptional composure and skill. Agha, whose innings included 16 fours and 2 sixes, eventually fell to Ngidi for 134, but by then, Pakistan was near the target.
This victory surpassed their previous highest successful chase of 349 against Australia in Lahore in 2022 and gave Pakistan a timely boost ahead of hosting the Champions Trophy next 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’s 83 off 84 balls, and Temba Bavuma’s 82 off 96 balls helped South Africa post a 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 solid 51-run partnership before Shaheen Shah Afridi broke it.
However, Bavuma had other plans and revived the Proteas’ innings by pairing up with young Breetzke, continuing his sublime form from his stunning 150 against New Zealand in his second ODI.
Bavuma was outstanding with the bat, hitting 13 boundaries in his brilliant knock.
Breetzke plundered 83 runs, studded with 10 boundaries and a six.
Klaasen smashed 11 boundaries and three sixes, ensuring the visitors set the highest total ever in Pakistan.
This score was also the highest ODI total against Pakistan.
For Pakistan, Shaheen Shah Afridi (2-66) took two wickets.
Khushdil Shah (1-39) and Naseem Shah (1-68) each claimed one wicket.
Abrar Ahmed (0-63), Mohammad Hasnain (0-72), and Salman Ali Agha (0-33) remained wicketless.
