KARACHI: Mohammad Rizwan and Agha Salman’s sublime centuries powered Pakistan into the tri-nation series final, as they defeated South Africa by 6 wickets at National Bank Stadium on Wednesday.
Pakistan successfully chased the daunting total of 353 runs in 49 overs on the loss of four wickets, courtesy of brilliant batting from the above-mentioned pair.
It was also Pakistan’s highest successful run chase in an ODI match, surpassing their 349-runs against Australia in Lahore in 2022.
Rizwan remained unbeaten on 122*, while Salman scored 134 off 103 deliveries before getting out. His innings feature two big sixes and 16 elegant fours.
Pakistan began with an explosive performance, driven by the outstanding batting of Fakhar Zaman and Babar Azam, who together scored 57 runs in just the first six overs. Azam was dismissed after contributing 23 runs from 19 balls, while Zaman accelerated to a brisk 41 off 28 deliveries.
However, the home team stumbled a bit, reaching 91-3 at the end of the powerplay as South Africa struck twice in quick succession. Wiaan Mulder dismissed Saud Shakeel (15), putting Pakistan under pressure.
Following the quick wickets, Rizwan and Agha Salman revived Pakistan’s chase against South Africa. The duo shattered the record for the highest fourth-wicket partnership for Pakistan in ODIs, adding 260 runs.
Salman departed in the second last over while Mohammad Rizwan remained not out ensuring his team crossed the finish line comfortably.
Agha Salman was named the Player of the Match for his brilliant batting. Pakistan will now play against New Zealand in the tri-nation series final here on Friday.
Wiaan Mulder bagged two wickets for South Africa, while Lungi Ngidi also claimed one wicket.
Earlier, South Africa captain Temba Bavuma, Matthew Breetzke, and Heinrich Klaasen struck dominant half-centuries to power their team to 352-5 in their 50 overs.
After opting to bat first, Bavuma gave his team the desired start, stitching a 51-run opening partnership with Tony de Zorzi (22).
Matthew Breetzke joined Bavuma at the crease after the first wicket and added 119 runs for the second wicket to take the team’s total to 170 before the Proteas captain fell courtesy of a run-out.
South Africa’s captain departed after scoring 82 runs from 96 balls with the help of 13 boundaries.
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Heinrich Klaasen joined Breetzke, and they attacked Pakistan bowlers, scoring 68 runs in 56 balls before Khushdil Shah removed the former.
Wiaan Mulder (2) fell prey to Shaheen before Kyle Verreynne, and Klaasen added a quick 78 runs from 48 balls for the fifth wicket.
Heinrich Klaasen scored 87 runs from 56 balls with the help of 11 boundaries and three sixes before Naseem Shah ended his stay at the crease.
Verreynne (44*) and Corbin Bosch (15) took their team’s total to 352-5 in their 50 overs.
For Pakistan, Shaheen Shah Afridi took two wickets, while Naseem Shah and Khushdil Shah bagged one each.
Playing XIs South Africa and Pakistan
Pakistan: Fakhar Zaman, Babar Azam, Saud Shakeel, Mohammad Rizwan (c)(wk), Tayyab Tahir, Salman Agha, Khushdil Shah, Shaheen Afridi, Naseem Shah, Mohammad Hasnain, Abrar Ahmed
South Africa: Matthew Breetzke, Temba Bavuma (c), Tony de Zorzi, Kyle Verreynne (wk), Heinrich Klaasen, Wiaan Mulder, Senuran Muthusamy, Corbin Bosch, Keshav Maharaj, Lungi Ngidi, Tabraiz Shamsi.