South Africa vs Pakistan— In a stunning display of chase mastery, Pakistan defeated South Africa by six wickets in a high-octane encounter at Karachi’s National Stadium on Thursday, securing a place in the final of the ongoing tri-series.
The match, marked by extraordinary batting performances and dramatic moments, saw Pakistan complete their highest-ever successful run chase in One Day International (ODI) history, with key contributions from Mohammad Rizwan (122*) and Salman Agha (134).
This thrilling encounter, which saw both teams engaged in a fast-paced contest, took place under the floodlights in Karachi, and the crowd witnessed a spectacle of power hitting, tactical batting, and a flawless chase that saw Pakistan overcoming a hefty target of 353 runs with just one ball to spare.
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South Africa Sets the Stage with a Strong Total of 352/5
South Africa, having won the toss, chose to bat first on what appeared to be a flat pitch that provided little assistance to the bowlers. The Proteas quickly set a solid foundation, with their openers Temba Bavuma and Toni De Zorzi taking on the Pakistani attack from the outset.
The pair added 51 runs in less than eight overs before De Zorzi fell victim to a brilliant slip catch by Salman Agha, who dived low to his right to dismiss him for just 16. Despite the early setback, South Africa’s batting continued to flow smoothly as Bavuma joined forces with the young Matthew Breetzke to consolidate the innings. The two forged a 119-run partnership, which was eventually broken when Bavuma, who had made a fluent 82 off 83 balls, was run out in a bizarre fashion.
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Bavuma had cut a delivery to backward point and set off for a quick single. However, his partner Breetzke aborted the run, leaving the South African captain stranded halfway down the pitch. Agha, who had been a key figure with the ball in the early stages, took a sharp throw at the stumps, and Bavuma was sent packing, much to the delight of the Pakistani fielders.
This moment of drama did not derail the South African innings, though. Breetzke, in particular, continued his aggressive run-scoring, adding a valuable 83 runs before being dismissed. His 83 runs, off 92 balls, included eight fours and two sixes. Breetzke’s positive approach and his ability to find the boundaries at will put the South African innings back on track after the Bavuma run-out.
Heinrich Klaasen, the experienced middle-order batsman, took charge as Breetzke departed, contributing a blistering 87 runs off 61 balls, which included 12 boundaries and a six. Klaasen was particularly brutal on the Pakistani bowlers, cutting loose in the 34th over when he smashed Mohammad Hasnain for four boundaries.
While Klaasen’s pyrotechnics lifted the scoring rate, the late charge was somewhat limited by the fall of key wickets. South Africa’s final tally of 352/5 in their allotted 50 overs came primarily due to Klaasen’s late heroics and the controlled approach of Breetzke and Bavuma earlier in the innings.
The Pakistani bowling attack, spearheaded by Shaheen Afridi (2/66) and Mohammad Hasnain (2/76), had its share of difficult moments. However, they recovered well after being hammered in the final overs, especially by Klaasen’s onslaught, and kept South Africa from reaching a more formidable total.
Pakistan’s Historic Chase Begins with a Solid Foundation
Pakistan’s chase of 353 got off to a swift start, thanks to an opening partnership between the ever-consistent Babar Azam and Fakhar Zaman. Both players looked to get the chase off to a flying start, with Babar’s elegant strokeplay setting the tone. However, it was Zaman who caught the eye early on, taking a particular liking to Corbin Bosch, smashing him for 25 runs off just two overs.
Zaman’s aggressive approach was on full display as he took on the South African attack, but his stay was cut short when he was dismissed for a quick-fire 37 (29 balls), caught behind by wicketkeeper Kyle Verreynne off the bowling of Keshav Maharaj. With the score at 91/3 in the 11th over, Pakistan was in a bit of trouble, but the stability provided by Babar Azam’s measured batting and the arrival of Salman Agha gave the team hope.
Agha, who had been in excellent form with the bat, joined Mohammad Rizwan in the middle, and the two put on a partnership that would be the turning point in the game. Rizwan started cautiously, playing some early shots to get off the mark, including a stunning boundary off his first ball. While Agha took the more assertive route in the initial phase, Rizwan adopted a more reserved approach, focusing on rotating the strike and building the partnership.
The pair took their time to settle into the chase, with the run rate creeping slightly below a run-a-ball. However, their partnership began to accelerate after the 29th over when Rizwan slog-swept Maharaj for a six, signaling the beginning of a more aggressive approach. The duo’s intent was further highlighted when Agha played some classy shots on the up, with both players finding the boundary more frequently as they gained confidence.
By the 40th over, the game was firmly in Pakistan’s hands as Rizwan and Agha had brought up their individual centuries in style. Rizwan reached his 100 with a towering six off Wiaan Mulder, while Agha brought up his maiden ODI ton with a single off the same bowler.
The two added 260 runs for the fourth wicket, with both players attacking the South African bowlers in an almost seamless manner. Their calm yet assertive batting created pressure on the South African fielders and bowlers, and they managed to nullify any momentum South Africa had previously gained through their bowling efforts.
Rizwan’s knock was a testament to his consistency and composure. He played the anchor role beautifully, guiding Pakistan through the tricky middle overs while his partner Agha blazed through the field with his array of elegant strokes. Rizwan’s unbeaten 122 runs off 121 balls included 12 boundaries and two sixes, and his knock was a pivotal factor in Pakistan’s victory.
Agha, on the other hand, played an absolute gem of an innings, scoring 134 runs off 116 balls. His innings was studded with 14 boundaries and two sixes, and he was the driving force behind Pakistan’s acceleration in the latter stages of the chase. The pair of Agha and Rizwan effectively neutralized the pressure and ensured that the required run rate remained manageable.
The Final Push and Pakistan’s Historic Win
With Pakistan needing just 20 runs from the final two overs, Agha’s dismissal for 134 came as a surprise. The century-maker was bowled out by Wiaan Mulder, but Pakistan still had their sights set on victory. Tayyab Tahir, who had not faced a ball yet, came to the crease with the job of finishing the game.
Tahir wasted no time, lapping up the pressure, and on the very first ball of his innings, he struck a crisp boundary to seal Pakistan’s victory, much to the elation of the home crowd. Pakistan completed the chase in 49 overs, scoring 355/4, securing the six-wicket win and confirming their place in the final of the tri-series.
A Historic Day for Pakistan Cricket
This memorable win marks Pakistan’s highest successful ODI run chase, surpassing their previous best of 347 runs, and the thrilling nature of the chase is expected to be talked about for years. With both Rizwan and Agha playing match-winning knocks, Pakistan has certainly found their key players for the final. Agha’s 134 and Rizwan’s 122* were vital in an innings that will be remembered for its brilliance and composure under pressure.
The win also ended Pakistan’s losing streak in the tri-series, providing them with the momentum to face their next challenge in the final. Their thrilling chase and clinical execution of the run chase has established them as serious contenders for the title.
As for South Africa, while their total of 352/5 was strong, their inability to stem the run flow during Pakistan’s chase was their undoing. Nonetheless, they will take heart from their strong individual performances, particularly from Klaasen and Breetzke, and will look to bounce back in future encounters.
Pakistan’s victory ensures an exciting final for the tri-series on February 14, where they will face either South Africa or the third team in the competition. With their batting firing on all cylinders, Pakistan will head into the final with confidence, hoping to add another feather to their cap in what promises to be a thrilling climax to this exciting tri-series.
Match Summary:
South Africa: 352/5 in 50 overs (Heinrich Klaasen 87, Matthew Breetzke 83, Temba Bavuma 82; Shaheen Afridi 2-66)
Pakistan: 355/4 in 49 overs (Salman Agha 134, Mohammad Rizwan 122*; Wiaan Mulder 2-79)
Result: Pakistan won by 6 wickets.
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