Pakistan shatters multiple records in historic run chase against South Africa

Pakistan's record-breaking run chase saw Mohammad Rizwan and Salman Ali Agha score centuries, leading their team to their highest-ever successful ODI chase and securing a spot in the final of the ongoing Tri-Nation ODI Series.

Pakistan defeated Temba Bavuma’s South Africa by six wickets, successfully chasing down a challenging target of 353 at the National Stadium in Karachi.

The opening partnership between Fakhar Zaman and Babar Azam laid a solid foundation for the chase, with Fakhar playing an aggressive knock of 41 off 28 balls, while Babar added a steady 23 runs off 19 balls. Their efforts helped Pakistan maintain a steady pace, ensuring that the chase remained on track after the first 10 overs.

However, the momentum shifted briefly when Pakistan lost three quick wickets, putting the team under pressure. It was at this point that Captain Mohammad Rizwan and Vice-Captain Salman Ali Agha took charge, steering the innings with a record-breaking 260-run partnership.

 This stand surpassed the previous record of 228 runs set by Imran Farhat and Mohammad Hafeez against Zimbabwe in 2011, setting a new benchmark for Pakistan’s highest partnership in an ODI run chase.

The two middle-order batsmen became the first pair from positions 4 to 7 in Pakistan’s lineup to score centuries in the same ODI innings. This was the 27th instance in Pakistan’s ODI history of two batsmen scoring centuries in the same match. Had Salman Agha remained unbeaten, it would have marked the first occasion of two unbeaten centuries for Pakistan in an ODI.

This remarkable achievement secured Pakistan’s place in the final of the Tri-Nation ODI Series, where the hosts will face New Zealand on Friday.