Pakistan vs South Africa 3rd ODI Highlights: Pakistan’s Record-Breaking Chase!
Pakistan pulled off a stunning run chase to defeat South Africa in the 3rd ODI, securing a spot in the tri-series final. Mohammad Rizwan and Salman Ali Agha stole the show with an incredible 260-run partnership, helping Pakistan chase down a massive target of 353 with six wickets in hand and an over to spare.
Rizwan and Agha’s Historic Partnership
Mohammad Rizwan and Salman Ali Agha were the heroes of the night, breaking records with their outstanding fourth-wicket stand. Together, they added 260 runs in just 229 balls, stabilizing the innings after an early breakthrough by South Africa.
- Rizwan remained unbeaten with 122 runs off 128 balls, playing a steady anchor role.
- Agha smashed a quickfire 134 runs from just 103 balls, showing his aggressive intent throughout the innings.
- Agha fell just before the win, getting out when Pakistan needed only two runs to seal the victory.
Strong Start by Babar Azam & Fakhar Zaman
Before Rizwan and Agha took charge, Pakistan got off to a flying start, thanks to Babar Azam and Fakhar Zaman. The duo added 57 runs in just 6.1 overs, setting the tone for the chase. Their aggressive approach helped take early pressure off the middle order, allowing Rizwan and Agha to settle and build their match-winning stand.
South Africa Posts a Massive 352/5
South Africa batted first and put up a strong total of 352/5 in 50 overs, taking full advantage of Pakistan’s struggling bowling attack. Key contributions came from:
- Heinrich Klaasen: Played a sensational knock of 87 runs off just 56 balls, giving a late boost to South Africa’s innings.
- Temba Bavuma: The captain played a crucial role, scoring 82 runs before getting run out.
- Matthew Breetzke: The young batsman continued his excellent form, scoring 83 runs to give South Africa a strong foundation.
Despite South Africa’s batting firepower, Pakistan’s batters stepped up to chase down the target in style.
Toss and Team Changes
- South Africa won the toss and opted to bat first at the National Stadium, Karachi.
- The Proteas made four changes, bringing in Heinrich Klaasen and Keshav Maharaj.
- Pakistan had already announced their playing XI the day before, but Haris Rauf and Kamran Ghulam missed out.
How Pakistan Won the Match
Pakistan’s approach was well-calculated. The team capitalized on a strong start, maintained composure in the middle overs, and ensured they finished the chase without panic. The turning points included:
- Aggressive Opening Stand: Babar Azam and Fakhar Zaman’s quick 57-run partnership gave Pakistan early momentum.
- Stunning Middle-Order Partnership: Rizwan and Agha steadied the innings and built the biggest fourth-wicket stand in Pakistan’s ODI history.
- Smart Game Management: Rizwan played an anchor role while Agha accelerated, keeping the required run rate under control.
- Finishing the Job: Agha’s late flourish took the pressure off the team, making the chase look comfortable.
Records Tumbled in the Match
- Rizwan and Agha’s 260-run partnership was the highest fourth-wicket stand for Pakistan in ODIs.
- Pakistan’s chase of 353 runs became one of their highest successful run chases in ODI history.
- Agha’s 134 runs off 103 balls was his best ODI score so far.
Looking Ahead
With this thrilling win, Pakistan has now secured a spot in the final of the tri-series. The team will be high on confidence, but they will also look to improve their bowling, which struggled in this match. South Africa, on the other hand, will have to regroup and bounce back in their next game.
Final Result
Pakistan won by six wickets and successfully chased 353 runs, thanks to an unforgettable partnership between Mohammad Rizwan and Salman Ali Agha.
