Pakistan stun South Africa in record chase

TDT | Manama

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Pakistan eliminated South Africa from the tri-nation series with a record-breaking run chase, led by centuries from captain Mohammad Rizwan and vice-captain Salman Ali Agha, just a week before the Champions Trophy. Rizwan remained unbeaten on 122 off 128 balls, while Salman smashed his maiden ODI century with 134 off 103 deliveries, guiding Pakistan to 355-4 in 49 overs for a six-wicket victory on Wednesday.

The win set up a showdown against New Zealand on Friday. It was Pakistan’s highest-ever successful chase in an ODI, surpassing their previous record of 349 against Australia in 2022. Earlier, South Africa posted 352-5, the fourth-highest total at Karachi’s National Bank Stadium, with Heinrich Klaasen (87), Matthew Breetzke (83), and captain Temba Bavuma (82) all missing out on centuries.

It was the second time in three days that South Africa failed to defend a 300-plus total, having lost to New Zealand after scoring 304 on Monday. Rizwan and Salman dismantled the South African pace attack on a flat wicket with a lightning-fast outfield, putting together a Pakistan record 260-run partnership for the fourth wicket.

Lungi Ngidi (1- 74), Corbin Bosch (1-70), and Wiaan Mulder (2-79) struggled in the absence of frontline pacers Kagiso Rabada and Marco Jansen, who are set to join the squad for the Champions Trophy. Mulder had struck twice in his opening spell, but Pakistan dominated the powerplay, racking up over 90 runs in the first 10 overs of an ODI for the first time in two decades.

Fakhar Zaman’s quickfire 41 off 28 balls set the tone before he and Babar Azam (23) fell to Mulder in successive overs. Rizwan and Salman steadied the innings before launching an assault against the fast bowlers. Rizwan reached his century with a six over mid-wicket, while Salman brought up his ton three balls later.

Ngidi dismissed Salman with just two runs needed for victory, but Tayyab Tahir sealed the match with a boundary off his first delivery. Meanwhile, the International Cricket Council (ICC) fined Pakistan players Shaheen Afridi, Saud Shakeel, and Kamran Ghulam yesterday for misconduct during the match. Shaheen was fined 25 percent of his match fee for inappropriate physical contact with Breetzke while attempting a run, leading to a heated exchange. Shakeel and substitute fielder Ghulam were penalized 10 percent of their match fees for celebrating too close to Bavuma.