Discover how Rizwan and Agha led Pakistan to secure a spot in the Tri-Series final. Explore their remarkable performances and key moments.
Introduction:
Pakistan scripted history with their record-highest successful ODI chase, securing a tri-series final against New Zealand. Salman Agha’s maiden ODI century and Mohammad Rizwan’s fourth century led Pakistan to thrash South Africa by a crushing margin. Their 260-run fourth-wicket partnership, the highest-ever against South Africa, was the fourth-highest chase partnership in ODIs.
South Africa never conceded such a huge chase previously, so Pakistan’s achievement is all the more remarkable. See also: Warrican’s 5 Wicket Haul Thrash Pakistan
A Batting Paradise and a Nightmare for Bowlers
The Karachi pitch was a paradise for the batters but a nightmare for the bowlers. South Africa’s intimidating total was boosted by Temba Bavuma’s highest ODI score since September 2023, Matthew Breetzke’s record run haul in two matches (233), and Heinrich Klaasen’s fourth consecutive 80+ score. But all this was in vain as their efforts were eclipsed by Pakistan’s batting masterclass.
Bowlers on both teams were lost, with Pakistan’s pacers leaking 206 runs in 28 overs, and South Africa’s pace attack leaking 223 runs in 27 overs. Mohammad Hasnain was the hardest hit, leaking 72 runs in his eight overs. South Africa’s ODI losing streak now stands at six matches. See also: Will O’Rourke Shines as New Zealand Outclasses Pakistan
South Africa’s Bigger Concern – Klaasen’s Injury
Aside from the loss, South Africa had a greater concern—the injury to Heinrich Klaasen. The wicket-keeper batter was forced to retire hurt in the 32nd over after a Corbin Bosch delivery struck his right thumb. Kyle Verreynne replaced him behind the wickets, but there was no indication of Klaasen’s availability immediately.
Pakistan’s Explosive Start to the Chase
Confronted by a daunting target, Pakistan required a good start, and they received it. Fakhar Zaman and Babar Azam gave a colorful 56-run partnership in the first six overs, tearing apart Lungi Ngidi and Corbin Bosch. South Africa staged a comeback when Wiaan Mulder, brought in the seventh over, trapped Babar lbw for 36. Babar appealed, but UltraEdge confirmed no bat was involved.
Saud Shakeel, appearing in his first match of the series, maintained the momentum with 15 from 16 balls before cutting a pull off Bosch to Mulder at deep mid-wicket. Pakistan’s powerplay score of 91/2 was their third-highest since 2002, providing a good foundation.
South Africa gained the initiative when Fakhar edged a Mulder ball to Klaasen, walking back for 34. Pakistan were 91/3 in the 11th over, and with Rizwan and Salman having to repair the innings, the job seemed daunting.
Rizwan and Salman Partnership Turns the Game
Pakistan’s scoring rate dipped, recording just one boundary in the subsequent seven overs as the required run rate crept over 7.3. Rizwan and Agha were, however, unperturbed, waiting for boundary chances. Salman took advantage of full balls bowled by the spinners, while Rizwan rotated strike with fine accuracy.
At the 25-over mark, Pakistan was 163/3, 190 runs behind. Rizwan then took a pace, dispatching Senuran Muthusamy over long-on for six, taking their 100-run partnership to the landmark. By then, Rizwan had crossed fifty, soon followed by Salman, who reached his landmark in 51 balls.
The required run rate still remained 7-8 per over, but no batsman lost his cool. The bowlers of South Africa lost their lengths, gave width, and made fielding errors. In the remaining ten overs, Pakistan required 82 runs—South Africa had scored 110 in the same ten overs, meaning the target was near.
Crossing the Landmarks in Style
When both the batsmen were near their centuries, Rizwan reached first, hitting Mulder over deep mid-wicket. Salman followed, reaching his first ODI hundred off just 87 balls. Pakistan passed 300 in the 44th over, requiring just 32 runs off 30 balls.
Though Salman got out before the winning shots were struck, Pakistan reached home with six balls still to spare. South Africa, having set such a massive total, were wondering how much more they could have added to it.
South Africa’s Strong Start but Middle-Order Collapse
South Africa’s innings began on a positive note, with a powerplay score of 64/1. Breetzke played sensibly at better than a run-a-ball, providing Bavuma the platform to consolidate the innings. Bavuma reached his first ODI fifty in 17 innings but played risks, including a top-edged slog off Khushdil Shah, which Naseem Shah dropped when Bavuma was on 60.
Pakistan was able to keep it tight for the next eight overs, with South Africa scoring less than five per over. Breetzke reached his fifty off 46 balls. Pakistan did not take an lbw review against him, with ball-tracking showing it missing leg stump.
Picking up on the need for aggression, Rizwan reintroduced Shaheen Shah Afridi in the 27th over. Afridi had a war of words with Breetzke, culminating in a charged moment when the two were separated. Not long after that, Bavuma’s aggressive running cost him when Saud Shakeel pulled off an exquisite direct hit to run him out for 82.
Klaasen’s Fireworks and Salman’s Stunning Catch
Klaasen, pushed up to No.4, struggled initially for seven off 14 balls. But then he burst into a firecracker of an innings, hitting Hasnain four boundaries in one over, lifting South Africa’s innings. Over the next overs, South Africa scored 36 more runs and were poised to post a monstrous total.
Breetzke’s innings reached a spectacular conclusion when he tried to hit a big shot against Khushdil Shah and was caught by Salman Agha, who pulled off an incredible low catch. Mulder departed soon afterwards, leaving South Africa at 242/4 going into the last ten overs.
Klaasen maintained his rampage, hitting Afridi for back-to-back sixes and taking his fifty off 38 balls. His next 37 runs took just 18 deliveries, shattering Pakistan’s bowling attack. But when he tried to emulate his power-hitting against Naseem Shah, he mishit a full toss to long-on.
The Difference: Two Centuries vs. None
In the end, South Africa’s total didn’t have that one individual century, while Pakistan had two. That was what proved to be the difference. Pakistan’s pursuit will be one of their greatest in ODI history, which secured their entry into the tri-series final and set up for an intriguing game against New Zealand.