Skipper Mohammad Rizwan and vice-captain Salman Ali Agha celebrating Pakistan's win. Photo: X/ @TheRealPCB Skipper Mohammad Rizwan and vice-captain Salman Ali Agha celebrating Pakistan's win. Photo: X/ @TheRealPCB Pakistan eliminated South Africa from the tri-nation series with their highest-ever successful run chase in an ODI, securing a thrilling six-wicket win at the National Stadium in Karachi on Wednesday, February 12, 2025. (Highlights | More Cricket News)
The match began with South Africa winning the toss and opting to bat first, a decision that initially seemed promising. The Proteas posted a formidable 352/5, the fourth-highest total at the newly upgraded National Stadium.
Heinrich Klaasen (87), Matthew Breetzke (83), and captain Temba Bavuma (82) all fell agonizingly short of centuries, but their contributions set a solid foundation.
It was the second time in three days that South Africa lost after posting over 300 runs as it failed to defend 304 against New Zealand on Monday.
The match was all about the chase, and Pakistan excelled under pressure.
Captain Mohammad Rizwan and vice-captain Salman Ali Agha led the home team to a record-breaking pursuit, with Rizwan remaining unbeaten on 122 off 128 balls and Salman registering his maiden ODI century with a blistering 134 off 103 balls.
Their heroics powered Pakistan to 355/4 in 49 overs, sealing a six-wicket victory on Wednesday and setting up a final showdown against New Zealand on Friday.
Agha was named Player of the Match for his amazing ton. He said, "It was a good wicket to bat on. We wanted to take the game deep and took it 5 overs at a time. It’s just one of those things, stuck to my hand."
He added, "I want to contribute in all three departments and that's why I was able to pull off that catch. It was a good wicket in the first innings, it didn't change much. Hopefully we can put up a total in the final and our bowling attack can defend any score."
slots city casino Pakistan Vs South Africa, ODI Tri-Series: Playing XIsSouth Africa: Temba Bavuma (c), Tony de Zorzi, Matthew Breetzke, Kyle Verreynne, Heinrich Klaasen (wk), Wiaan Mulder, Senuran Muthusamy, Corbin Bosch, Keshav Maharaj, Lungi Ngidi, Tabraiz Shamsi
Pakistan: Fakhar Zaman, Babar Azam, Saud Shakeel, Mohammad Rizwan(w/c), Salman Agha, Tayyab Tahir, Khushdil Shah, Shaheen Afridi, Mohammad Hasnain, Naseem Shah, Abrar Ahmed
Hockey India President Dilip Tirkey expressed his enthusiasm and stated: "This bilateral series against Germany will be a remarkable showcase of world-class hockey. Both India and Germany have a rich history in the sport, and this series will give fans an opportunity to witness an intense competition between two of the most formidable teams in the world.
"It is a great honour to be nominated for the FIH Player of the Year Award againfb777," the Indian defender stated in a Hockey India release.
