Salman Ali Agha and Mohammed Rizwan scored hundreds as Pakistan chased down their highest ODI target of 353 runs to beat South Africa by 6 wickets in the virtual semifinal of the tri-nation series at Karachi’s National Bank Stadium, on Wednesday.
The emphatic win sets up the big final against New Zealand at the same venue on February 14.
The Greenshirts had contrasting start to their chase, scoring 91 runs in the powerplay with the loss of two wickets
Star batter Babar Azam continued to struggle at the top, falling to Wiaan Mulder on the first delivery of the seventh over.
The right-hander managed 23 off 19 balls, striking four boundaries before his departure.
In-form opener Fakhar Zaman then put together a brief 36-run stand for the second wicket with Saud Shakeel, but both batters fell in quick succession, leaving Pakistan at 91/3 in 10.4 overs.
Fakhar contributed a quickfire 41 off 28 deliveries, featuring six fours and a six, while Saud chipped in with a 16-ball 15.
Amid the setback, Salman Ali Agha joined Mohammad Rizwan at the crease, and the duo turned the game on its head by forging Pakistan’s highest-ever partnership in an ODI run chase.
Their remarkable 260-run stand for the fourth wicket was finally broken in the penultimate over when Lungi Ngidi dismissed Salman.
Agha was the top scorer for Pakistan, smashing 134 off 103 balls, laced with 16 fours and two sixes.
Meanwhile, Rizwan anchored the chase till the very end, remaining unbeaten on 122 off 128 deliveries, decorated with nine fours and three sixes.
For South Africa, Wiaan Mulder took two wickets, while Lungi Ngidi and Corbin Bosch picked up one each.
First innings
Earlier, an explosive batting display from Heinrich Klaasen and Matthew Breetzke propelled South Africa to a formidable total of 352/5.
After opting to bat first, openers Tony de Zorzi and Temba Bavuma provided Proteas a solid start scoring 50 runs inside the first eight overs.
Pakistan found the first breakthrough on the last ball of the eight-over match. Shaheen Afridi induced an edge from De Zorzi (22), which Salman Ali Agha brilliantly took in the slips, reducing South Africa to 51/1.
Bavuma and Breetzke then took charge, stitching together a crucial partnership that laid the foundation for a big total. Bavuma continued his aggressive approach, taking on Abrar for back-to-back boundaries, while Breetzke settled in with well-timed strokes.
South Africa crossed the 100-run mark in the 16th over with Bavuma and Breetzke looking fluent. The duo brought up a 100-run stand as South Africa dominated the middle overs.
Pakistan’s frustrations were compounded in the 26th over when an unsuccessful review showed that Hasnain’s delivery was missing the stumps, allowing Breetzke to survive.
However, a moment of brilliance from Saud Shakeel finally ended Bavuma’s innings—his direct hit caught the South African captain short of his crease, dismissing him for a well-compiled 82 off 95 balls, which included 13 boundaries.
Following Bavuma’s dismissal, Klaasen took control of the innings with an explosive counterattack. The right-hander wasted no time, smashing five boundaries in quick succession, including four in a single over off Hasnain.
Saud Shakeel, Mohammad Hasnain included in Pakistan XI for crucial South Africa clash
He took the Pakistani bowlers apart with a mix of power and precision, reaching 87 off just 56 deliveries, laced with 10 fours and three sixes, before eventually falling in the death overs.
Breetzke played a vital supporting role before perishing for 83 off 84 balls, ensuring the Proteas remained in a strong position. David Miller chipped in with a brisk 38 off 25, while Kyle Verreynne (36* off 30) and Corbin Bosch (14* off 8) provided the finishing touches, helping South Africa cross the 350-run mark.
A late surge from Kyle Verreynne (36* off 30) and Corbin Bosch (14* off 8) further solidified the Proteas’ dominant batting performance, leaving Pakistan with a daunting chase.
Naseem Shah and Shaheen Afridi managed to pick up wickets in the closing stages, but Pakistan’s bowlers struggled to contain the relentless South African batting lineup.