Pakistan complete their highest ODI chase to beat South Africa

Published February 12, 2025
Salman Ali Agha plays a shot during the Tri-Nation series third one-day international against South Africa at the National Stadium in Karachi on February 12. — AFP
Salman Ali Agha plays a shot during the Tri-Nation series third one-day international against South Africa at the National Stadium in Karachi on February 12. — AFP

Salman Ali Agha and Mohammad Rizwan both struck centuries as Pakistan completed their highest successful run chase in One Day Internationals with a six-wicket win over South Africa in a Tri-Nation Series fixture in Karachi on Wednesday.

South Africa, without several first-team regulars, batted first on a flat wicket and with a lightning-quick outfield, amassing 352 for five in their 50 overs on the back of half-centuries from captain Temba Bavuma (82), Matthew Breetzke (83) and Heinrich Klaasen (87).

Pakistan were 91-3 in reply, but a magnificent 260-run fourth wicket stand between Agha (134), who scored his maiden ODI tonne, and Mohammad Rizwan (122 not out) took Pakistan to victory with six balls to spare.

It beats their previous highest successful run chase of 349 against Australia in Lahore in 2022 and will provide a boost in confidence as they prepare to host the Champions Trophy starting in a week.

Pakistan play New Zealand in the Tri-Nations final in Karachi on Friday.

Opinion

Editorial

Genocide resumes
Updated 19 Mar, 2025

Genocide resumes

It appears that Palestinian people will again be left defenceless in the face of merciless brutality.
Strength in unity
19 Mar, 2025

Strength in unity

WILL it count as an opportunity lost? Given the sharp escalation in militant violence in recent weeks, some had ...
NFC weightage
19 Mar, 2025

NFC weightage

THE NFC Award has long been in need of an overhaul. The government’s proposal to bring down the weightage of...
A new direction
Updated 18 Mar, 2025

A new direction

While kinetic response may temporarily disable violent actors, it will not address underlying factors providing ideological fuel to insurgencies.
BTK settlement
18 Mar, 2025

BTK settlement

WHEREVER the money goes, controversy follows. The PMLN-led federal government, which recently announced that it will...
Sugar crisis
18 Mar, 2025

Sugar crisis

GREED knows no bounds. But the avarice of those involved in the sugar business — from manufacturers to retailers...