On February 14, Pakistan will play New Zealand in the final of the Tri-Nation Series. Pakistan advanced to the final of the Tri-Nation Series against New Zealand after defeating South Africa in the elimination match by six wickets courtesy of Mohammad Rizwan and Salman Ali Agha’s record partnership on Wednesday.
Agha and Rizwan’s record fourth-wicket partnership helped the home team defeat a formidable 353-run target at the National Bank Stadium in Karachi with four wickets and six balls remaining.
However, Pakistan’s pursuit got off to a different start as their star batsman, Babar Azam, was removed by Wiaan Mulder on the opening delivery of the seventh over, continuing to struggle in his role as an opener.
Four boundaries helped the right-handed batter score 23 off 19 deliveries.
Chief Justice of Pakistan Yahya Afridi meeting International Monetary Fund delegation at Supreme Court of Pakistan, Islamabad, February 11, 2025. — SC website
Pakistan’s in-form opener Fakhar Zaman then stitched a brief 36-run partnership for the second wicket with Saud Shakeel before both perished in quick succession, bringing the total down to 91/3 in 10.4 overs.
Fakhar scored 41 off 28 deliveries with the help of six fours and a six, while Saud made a 16-ball 15.
Following the slump, Salman Ali Agha joined Mohammad Rizwan in the middle and turned the game on its head by recording the highest partnership for Pakistan in an ODI run chase.
The duo added a record 260 runs for the fourth wicket until Lungi Ngidi got rid of Salman on the fifth delivery of the penultimate over.
Agha top-scored for Pakistan with 134 off 103 deliveries, studded with 16 fours and two sixes.
Rizwan, on the other hand, carried his bat all the way through with an unbeaten 122 off 128 deliveries, laced with nine fours and three sixes.
For South Africa, Mulder bagged two wickets, while Ngidi and Corbin Bosch made one scalp apiece.
South Africa’s Wiaan Mulder (2L) celebrates after taking the wicket of Pakistan’s Fakhar Zaman (L) during the Tri-Nation series third ODI cricket match between Pakistan and South Africa at the National Stadium in Karachi on February 12, 2025. — AFP
South Africa captain Temba Bavuma’s decision to bat first paid dividends as the visitors racked up 352/5 in their allotted 50 overs.
The Proteas got off to a decent start to their innings as their new opening pair of Tony de Zorzi and skipper Bavuma added 51 runs for the first wicket.
The opening stand culminated on the last delivery of the eighth over when Shaheen Shah Afridi got de Zorzi caught at the first slip.
The left-handed opener made 21 from 18 deliveries with the help of three fours and a six.
South Africa’s captain Temba Bavuma plays a shot during the Tri-Nation series third ODI cricket match between Pakistan and South Africa at the National Stadium in Karachi on February 12, 2025. — AFP
Bavuma was then joined by in-form Matthew Breetzke in the middle and the duo laid a solid foundation for a massive total by putting together a 119-run partnership for the second wicket.
The century-plus stand ended when Bavuma got run out, courtesy of a direct hit from Saud Shakeel.
The South African captain struck 13 boundaries on his way to a 96-ball 82.
Breetzke then shared a 68-run partnership with Klaasen before falling victim to Khushdil Shah in the 39th over.
He scored 83 off 84 deliveries, laced with 10 fours and a six.
South Africa then suffered another blow to their batting expedition when Afridi dismissed Wiaan Mulder for two in the next over.
South Africa’s Klaasen plays a shot during the Tri-Nation series third ODI cricket match between Pakistan and South Africa at the National Stadium in Karachi on February 12, 2025. —
