Rizwan, Agha power Pakistan to six-wicket win over South Africa

(Web Desk): Pakistan secured a six-wicket victory over South Africa in an elimination match of the Tri-Nation Series on Wednesday, thanks to a record partnership between Mohammad Rizwan and Salman Ali Agha. This win also earned them a spot in the final of the tournament.

South Africa set a challenging target of 353 runs for Pakistan at the National Bank Stadium in Karachi. Despite an early setback, Pakistan successfully reached the target with six balls to spare, losing four wickets along the way. The key to the victory was the impressive 260-run partnership for the fourth wicket between Rizwan and Agha.

Pakistan's chase began poorly, as their top batter Babar Azam was dismissed cheaply by Wiaan Mulder on the first ball of the seventh over. Babar scored 23 runs off 19 balls, including four boundaries.

Fakhar Zaman then formed a brief 36-run partnership with Saud Shakeel for the second wicket, but both were dismissed quickly, leaving Pakistan at 91/3 in 10.4 overs. Fakhar scored 41 runs from 28 balls with six fours and one six, while Saud made 15 runs off 16 balls.

With Pakistan in a difficult position, Agha and Rizwan came together at the crease and turned the game around. The pair built a massive 260-run partnership, which became the highest for Pakistan in an ODI chase. Agha was dismissed by Lungi Ngidi for 134 runs off 103 balls, including 16 fours and two sixes. Rizwan, however, remained unbeaten, scoring 122 runs off 128 balls with nine fours and three sixes, leading Pakistan to victory.

For South Africa, Mulder took two wickets, while Ngidi and Corbin Bosch each claimed one.

Earlier, South Africa, led by captain Temba Bavuma, batted first and posted a total of 352/5 in their 50 overs. The opening partnership between Bavuma and Tony de Zorzi produced 51 runs before de Zorzi was dismissed by Shaheen Shah Afridi. De Zorzi scored 21 runs off 18 balls with three fours and a six.

Bavuma then teamed up with Matthew Breetzke to build a solid 119-run partnership for the second wicket. Bavuma was dismissed for 82 runs off 96 balls, hitting 13 boundaries. Breetzke continued to play well and scored 83 runs off 84 balls, including 10 fours and a six. The partnership ended when Breetzke was dismissed by Khushdil Shah in the 39th over.

South Africa’s batting took another hit when Afridi dismissed Wiaan Mulder for just two runs in the next over. However, Klaasen led a late surge for South Africa, scoring 87 runs off 56 balls with 11 fours and three sixes. He was dismissed in the 48th over, leaving South Africa with a total of 352/5.

Afridi was the best bowler for Pakistan, taking two wickets for 66 runs in his 10 overs. Khushdil Shah and Naseem Shah also took one wicket each.

Pakistan's successful chase was built on the outstanding performances of Rizwan and Agha, while Afridi's bowling effort was crucial in keeping South Africa's total in check.