Pakistan Secures Historic Win to Reach Tri-Series Final
Pakistan has made history by defeating South Africa by six wickets in a thrilling match, securing their place in the tri-series final against New Zealand on February 14. This remarkable victory marks Pakistan’s first successful chase of over 350 runs in an ODI match, setting a new milestone in their cricketing history.
Unbelievable Chase Led by Rizwan and Agha Salman
Chasing a massive target of 353, Pakistan’s victory seemed unlikely at first. However, a stunning partnership between Mohammad Rizwan and Agha Salman turned the game around, making an impossible task look effortless.
Key Moments of Pakistan’s Innings
- Early setbacks: Pakistan’s top order struggled initially, with Babar Azam dismissed for 23 runs at a total of 57, followed by Saud Shakeel (15) and Fakhar Zaman (41), leaving Pakistan at 91-3.
- Historic partnership: Rizwan and Salman combined for a record-breaking 260-run stand for the fourth wicket.
- Century milestones:
- Agha Salman scored a magnificent 134 off 103 balls, earning the Man of the Match title.
- Mohammad Rizwan contributed with 122 runs off 128 balls.
- Final push: Pakistan comfortably chased down 355 runs with an over to spare, sealing a dominant victory.
This 260-run partnership broke the previous 206-run record held by Mohammad Yousuf and Shoaib Malik for the fourth wicket.
South Africa’s Explosive Batting Performance
Playing at Karachi’s National Stadium, South Africa batted first and set a challenging 353-run target in their allotted 50 overs with five wickets down.
Top Performers for South Africa
- Temba Bavuma: 82 runs off 96 balls (14 fours)
- Tony de Zorzi: 22 runs
- Matthew Breetzke: 83 runs
- Heinrich Klaasen: 87 runs off 56 balls (11 fours, 3 sixes)
- Kyle Verreynne: 44 not out
- Corbin Bosch: 15 not out
South Africa’s batsmen attacked Pakistan’s bowlers aggressively, exploiting home conditions and smashing boundaries all over the ground.
Pakistan’s Bowling Struggles
- Most expensive bowler: Mohammad Hasnain conceded 72 runs in 8 overs.
- Wicket-takers:
- Shaheen Shah Afridi: 2 wickets
- Khushdil Shah & Naseem Shah: 1 wicket each
Despite South Africa’s dominance with the bat, Pakistan’s disciplined chase ensured a stunning turnaround.
On-Field Drama: Heated Moments Between Players
The match wasn’t without controversy. In the 29th over, Temba Bavuma was run out by Saud Shakeel’s direct throw. Following the dismissal, Shakeel and Kamran Ghulam celebrated aggressively in front of Bavuma, leading to a tense moment on the field. South African players remained composed, but the incident sparked a social media debate.
Social Media Reactions
- Criticism for excessive celebrations: Some fans labeled Pakistan’s celebration as unsportsmanlike.
- Support for Pakistan’s fighting spirit: Others praised the team’s passion, predicting an aggressive batting response.
- Predictions came true: Fans had anticipated Pakistan’s batsmen would counterattack strongly—and they did!
Records Broken in the Match
- Pakistan’s highest successful ODI chase (355/4)
- Fourth-wicket highest partnership (260 runs – Rizwan & Salman)
- Highest aggregate score between these two teams (707 runs in a single match)
What’s Next?
Pakistan now advances to the Tri-Series Final against New Zealand on February 14. With this record-breaking performance, expectations are high for another thrilling match!
Source BBC.COM
