Pakistan triumphed over South Africa with a six-wicket victory in Karachi, secured by Mohd. Rizwan’s 122* and Salman Agha’s 134, marking a record chase of 353. Breetzke had a noteworthy impact for South Africa with two high-scoring innings. Temba Bavuma noted the difficult bowling conditions, while Rizwan attributed success to teamwork and encouragement.
In an exhilarating match in Karachi, Mohd. Rizwan and Salman Agha were instrumental in leading Pakistan to a remarkable six-wicket victory over South Africa, clinching a spot in the tri-series final. Rizwan scored an impressive 122 not out, while Salman contributed a maiden century of 134 runs, propelling Pakistan to chase down a mammoth target of 353 runs, setting a record for the highest successful chase in One Day Internationals.
Pakistan’s successful chase surpassed their previous record of 349 runs against Australia in 2022. The duo of Rizwan and Salman established a new fourth-wicket partnership record with a stunning 260 runs, overtaking the long-standing 206 set by Shoaib Malik and Younis Khan against India in 2009. Rizwan and Salman’s efforts outshone South African batsman Matthew Breetzke’s newly set record of most runs in his first two ODIs, scoring 150 and 83 runs.
Breetzke’s performance contributed to South Africa’s five-wicket total of 352, aided by captain Temba Bavuma’s 82 runs and Heinrich Klaasen’s 87 runs. The match was characterized by a lack of wickets for Pakistan’s bowlers, leading to frustrations as fast bowler Shaheen Afridi engaged in a brief confrontation with Breetzke on the field. Following the match, both players clarified their intentions and confirmed their friendship.
South African captain Temba Bavuma attributed the defeat to the flat pitch, stating, “It was a good wicket and was tough work for bowlers. We needed wickets in the middle which we did not get.” Meanwhile, Rizwan credited their successful chase to teamwork and determination, affirming the importance of Khushdil Shah’s encouraging words during the innings.
In summary, Pakistan’s emphatic victory over South Africa, driven by stellar performances from Rizwan and Salman, has set a new record for ODI chases. The match highlighted key individual achievements, including Breetzke’s record-breaking start to his ODI career, while also showcasing the dynamics of pressure in competitive cricket. As Pakistan moves on to face New Zealand, they present a strong front heading into the Champions Trophy.
Original Source: www.foxsports.com.au
