Pakistan has secured a spot in the final of the Tri-Nation series after defeating South Africa by 6 wickets. The team will face off against New Zealand in the final match. In the recent game, South Africa batted first, setting a target of 353 runs for Pakistan. However, thanks to the impressive performances of Mohammad Rizwan and Salman Ali Aga, Pakistan was able to achieve the target with ease. The South African bowlers struggled to contain the two players, allowing Pakistan to chase down the target.
Historic Chase by Pakistan
By chasing a target of 353 runs, Pakistan has achieved its biggest target in the history of ODI cricket. Previously, the team’s highest successful chase was 349 runs against Australia in 2022. Under the captaincy of Mohammad Rizwan, the Pakistani team has created a new record, overcoming a target of 350 plus runs for the first time in ODI cricket.
Rizwan and Salman’s Centuries
The match did not start well for Pakistan, with Babar Azam and Saud Shakeel struggling to make an impact. Fakhar Zaman had a promising start but was unable to convert it into a significant innings, scoring 41 runs before being dismissed. However, Pakistani captain Mohammad Rizwan and Salman Ali Aga turned the game around with their exceptional batting, scoring 122 and 134 runs respectively. Both players scored centuries, leading the Pakistani team to victory.
South Africa’s Batting Performance
For the South African team, Temba Bavuma scored 82 runs, while Tony de Zorzi contributed 22 runs. Mathews Breetzke and Henrik Klassen scored 83 and 87 runs respectively, with three players achieving half-centuries for the African team. As a result, the team was able to set a substantial target of 352 runs. Shaheen Afridi took the most wickets for Pakistan, with two dismissals.