Pakistan secured a spot in the tri-series final by defeating South Africa by six wickets in a do-or-die clash. Skipper Mohammad Rizwan and vice-captain Salman Ali Agha played historic knocks, turning an impossible chase into reality.
A Record-Breaking Triumph for Pakistan
Chasing a mammoth 353-run target, Pakistan’s top order stumbled early, but a sensational 260-run partnership between Rizwan and Salman guided the team home with an over to spare. This marks Pakistan’s highest-ever successful chase in ODIs, surpassing their 2022 feat against Australia.
Pakistan’s Innings: A Story of Resilience
Babar Azam (23), Saud Shakeel (15), and Fakhar Zaman (41) fell early, leaving Pakistan at 91-3.
Mohammad Rizwan (122*) and Salman Ali Agha (134) built a record fourth-wicket stand, rewriting history.
Rizwan remained unbeaten, while Salman’s brilliant 134 came off 103 balls, featuring 16 boundaries and two sixes.
South Africa’s Power-Packed Batting Display
Batting first, South Africa posted 352/5 in 50 overs.
Skipper Temba Bavuma (82), Matthew Breetzke (83), and Heinrich Klaasen (87) led the charge.
Shaheen Afridi took 2 wickets, while Khushdil Shah and Naseem Shah grabbed one each.
Tri-Series: Rizwan & Salman’s Historic Stand
Their 260-run partnership is the second-highest fourth-wicket stand in ODI history.
They shattered Pakistan’s previous record of 206 runs by Shoaib Malik and Mohammad Yousuf (2009).
This was only the 27th time in history that two Pakistani batters scored centuries in the same ODI innings.
Tensions Flare as Pakistan & South Africa Exchange Words
The match saw heated moments between players.
Shaheen Afridi clashed with Matthew Breetzke after a mid-pitch collision.
Saud Shakeel’s aggressive send-off to Bavuma also sparked controversy.
Final Showdown Awaits! Pakistan vs. New Zealand on February 14
With this victory, Pakistan books a spot in the grand finale against New Zealand. Can Rizwan’s men clinch the trophy? The cricketing world waits in anticipation!
Rizwan Backs Babar to Score Big Soon
Pakistan cricket team captain Mohammad Rizwan expressed confidence that Babar Azam will soon play a big innings. Speaking at a press conference after Pakistan’s historic victory against South Africa in Karachi, Rizwan stated, “When divine help is with you, records are made.”
He praised Babar Azam and Fakhar Zaman for providing a solid start but admitted that losing wickets forced the team to rethink their strategy. “I wasn’t even looking at the screen until the 18th over. We planned in five-over phases, and it worked,” Rizwan revealed.
He acknowledged the high expectations placed on Babar Azam, saying, “Just like the nation, I always expect Babar to score big. He feels that pressure too. Hopefully, he will deliver soon.”
“Inconsistency is Part of Our Culture” – Rizwan
Rizwan candidly commented on Pakistan’s unpredictable performances: “Inconsistency is part of our culture. We never know what will happen tomorrow. We play against Zimbabwe the same way we play against Australia.”
He also lamented the absence of Saim Ayub, calling it a significant loss for the team. Discussing Babar’s opening role, Rizwan said, “Babar Azam is the most composed batter, which is why we sent him as an opener.”
South Africa Learning from Pakistani Conditions – Rob Walter
South Africa’s head coach, Rob Walter, admitted that after playing two matches, his team has gained a better understanding of Pakistan’s playing conditions. Speaking after their six-wicket defeat at the National Stadium in Karachi, Walter said, “For young players, playing in these conditions has been a valuable experience.”
He predicted high-scoring games ahead, stating, “If we get similar pitches in the upcoming matches, we’ll see big scores.” Walter emphasized that South Africa wasn’t just treating these games as practice but genuinely aimed to win.
He also pointed out their fast bowling struggles, saying, “We didn’t perform well as a fast-bowling unit today.” Looking ahead to future challenges, Walter noted, “We have a lot of cricket in Asia this year. There’s no doubt Afghanistan has world-class spinners. Since many Afghan players have competed in SA T20 leagues, we have some idea of their strengths.”
