Agha and Rizwan shine as Pakistan crush South Africa to reach tri-series final

Agha, Rizwan’s Centuries Lead Pakistan to Tri-Series Final with Record Chase Against South Africa

KARACHI: Salman Ali Agha and Mohammad Rizwan struck commanding centuries to propel Pakistan into the tri-nation ODI series final with a historic six-wicket win over South Africa at the National Bank Stadium on Wednesday.

Chasing a challenging 353-run target, Pakistan sealed victory with four wickets down and six balls to spare, thanks to a record fourth-wicket stand between Agha and Rizwan.

However, the chase began on a shaky note as star batter Babar Azam’s struggles as an opener continued. He was dismissed by Wiaan Mulder in the seventh over after scoring 23 off 19 balls, including four boundaries.

Pakistan’s aggressive opener Fakhar Zaman built a brief 36-run stand with Saud Shakeel before both departed in quick succession, leaving the team at 91/3 in 10.4 overs. Fakhar smashed 41 off 28 balls, hitting six fours and a six, while Saud contributed 15 off 16 deliveries.

With the team in trouble, Agha and Rizwan took charge, scripting a remarkable turnaround with the highest partnership in Pakistan’s ODI run-chase history. Their 260-run stand for the fourth wicket changed the game’s course before Lungi Ngidi dismissed Agha in the penultimate over.

Agha top-scored with 134 off 103 balls, hitting 16 fours and two sixes, while Rizwan remained unbeaten on 122 off 128 deliveries, smashing nine fours and three sixes.

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

Earlier, South Africa captain Temba Bavuma’s decision to bat first proved effective as his side posted a formidable 352/5 in 50 overs.

The Proteas’ new opening pair of Tony de Zorzi and Bavuma laid a steady foundation with a 51-run stand before Shaheen Shah Afridi dismissed de Zorzi (21 off 18) in the eighth over.

Bavuma then partnered with in-form Matthew Breetzke for a 119-run second-wicket stand before a direct hit from Saud Shakeel ran him out for 82 off 96 balls, including 13 boundaries.

Breetzke continued his fine form, adding 68 runs with Heinrich Klaasen before falling to Khushdil Shah in the 39th over after scoring 83 off 84 balls with 10 fours and a six.

Afridi struck again in the following over, removing Wiaan Mulder for just two, but Klaasen counterattacked, ensuring South Africa crossed the 300-run mark.

Klaasen top-scored for the visitors with a blistering 87 off 56 balls, laced with 11 fours and three sixes, before being dismissed in the 48th over.

Afridi led Pakistan’s bowling with figures of 2/66 in 10 overs, while Khushdil and Naseem Shah picked up one wicket each.