KARACHI – Pakistan secured a thrilling six-wicket victory over South Africa in an elimination match of the Tri-Nation Series on Wednesday, thanks to a record-breaking partnership between Mohammad Rizwan and Salman Ali Agha. The win propelled Pakistan into the final of the tournament, with a stellar chase of 353 runs at the National Bank Stadium.
Pakistan’s chase began on a shaky note, with star batter Babar Azam continuing to struggle in his new role as an opener. He was dismissed by Wiaan Mulder on the first ball of the seventh over, having made 23 off 19 balls. Fakhar Zaman and Saud Shakeel briefly steadied the ship, adding 36 runs for the second wicket before both were dismissed in quick succession, leaving Pakistan at 91/3 in 10.4 overs.
Fakhar Zaman top-scored with 41 off 28 balls, including six fours and a six, while Shakeel made 15 from 16 deliveries. At this juncture, Salman Ali Agha joined Mohammad Rizwan at the crease, and together, they turned the game around. The duo forged a record-breaking fourth-wicket partnership of 260 runs, the highest-ever for Pakistan in an ODI run chase.
Agha was the aggressor, scoring 134 off 103 balls, featuring 16 fours and two sixes. Rizwan, the anchor, carried his bat through the innings, remaining unbeaten on 122 off 128 balls, including nine fours and three sixes. The partnership ended when Lungi Ngidi dismissed Agha in the penultimate over, but Rizwan saw Pakistan home with six balls to spare, securing their place in the final.
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For South Africa, Ngidi, Mulder, and Corbin Bosch each took a wicket. Earlier, South Africa posted a competitive 352/5 in their allotted 50 overs. Openers Tony de Zorzi and Temba Bavuma gave the visitors a solid start, adding 51 runs for the first wicket. De Zorzi was dismissed for 21, and Bavuma followed shortly after, run out for 82 off 96 balls.
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