Pakistan clinched a six-wicket victory against South Africa, led by centuries from Mohammad Rizwan (122*) and Salman Agha (134). The match featured a record fourth-wicket partnership of 260 runs and established a new high for the team in one-day international chases. Pakistan will face New Zealand in the tri-series final, while South Africa reflects on their performance and prepares for upcoming challenges.
In a thrilling match held in Karachi, Pakistan triumphed over South Africa by six wickets, securing their place in the tri-series final. Mohammad Rizwan and Salman Agha played pivotal roles, both scoring centuries that propelled Pakistan to a historic successful chase of 353 runs in 49 overs. Rizwan remained unbeaten on 122, while Salman contributed a well-crafted 134, marking his first ODI century.
Pakistan’s chase set a new record for the highest successful one-day international chase, surpassing their previous best of 349 against Australia in 2022. The partnership between Rizwan and Salman was remarkable, as they forged a 260-run fourth-wicket stand, breaking the previous Pakistani record of 206 runs, established by Shoaib Malik and Younis Khan in 2009. The Proteas had earlier posted a formidable total of 352 runs, primarily thanks to Matthew Breetzke’s impressive scores of 150 and 83 in his first two ODIs.
Breetzke’s batting performance overshadowed as he set a record for the most runs scored by a batsman in their first two ODIs, surpassing Desmond Haynes’ previous record. He was supported by captain Temba Bavuma, who scored 82, and Heinrich Klaasen, who contributed 87 runs. Despite South Africa’s strong total, their bowlers struggled to contain the Pakistani batsmen, leading to their eventual defeat.
After Pakistan’s successful chase, Rizwan remarked, “When God helps, you break all kinds of records.” He provided insight into the team’s mindset, recalling inspiring words from his teammate Khushdil Shah before the innings began. South African captain Temba Bavuma attributed his team’s loss to the flat pitch, indicating that the ground conditions did not favor their bowling attack during the match.
This match served as an important precursor to the upcoming Champions Trophy, with Pakistan set to face New Zealand in the final at the same venue. The outstanding performances from both Rizwan and Salman not only injected confidence into the team’s batting but also provided a strong foundation for their preparation ahead of the international competition.
In summary, Pakistan’s exhilarating six-wicket victory over South Africa was marked by record-breaking performances from Rizwan and Salman, solidifying their status as formidable contestants. Their monumental fourth-wicket partnership and successful chase reflect the team’s resilience and capability in the one-day format, paving the way for their challenge against New Zealand in the final before the Champions Trophy. Overall, the match showcased individual brilliance and highlighted areas of concern for South Africa as they prepare for future competitions.
Original Source: www.foxsports.com.au
