Pakistan reach final of tri-nation series after beating SA by six wickets

Pakistan achieved a six-wicket victory over South Africa in the elimination match of the Tri-Nation Series on Wednesday, propelled by a record partnership between Mohammad Rizwan and Salman Ali Agha, thereby securing a place in the tournament’s final.

In pursuit of a challenging target of 353 runs at the National Bank Stadium in Karachi, the home team successfully reached the target, losing four wickets and with six balls remaining, largely due to the remarkable fourth-wicket partnership established by Agha and Rizwan.

However, Pakistan’s innings began on a shaky note as their star opener Babar Azam struggled and was dismissed by Wiaan Mulder on the very first ball of the seventh over. Babar managed to score 23 runs off 19 balls, including four boundaries.

Fakhar Zaman, another key opener, briefly contributed to a 36-run partnership for the second wicket with Saud Shakeel before both were dismissed in quick succession, leaving the team at 91/3 after 10.4 overs.

Fakhar scored 41 runs off 28 balls, featuring six fours and a six, while Saud added 15 runs from 16 balls.

Following this setback, Salman Ali Agha joined forces with Mohammad Rizwan and dramatically shifted the momentum of the match by establishing the highest partnership for Pakistan in an ODI run chase.

The pair accumulated a record 260 runs for the fourth wicket until Lungi Ngidi dismissed Salman on the fifth ball of the second-to-last over.

Agha was the top scorer for Pakistan, amassing 134 runs off 103 balls, which included 16 fours and two sixes. Rizwan, meanwhile, remained unbeaten with 122 runs off 128 balls, featuring nine fours and three sixes.

For South Africa, Mulder claimed two wickets, while Ngidi and Corbin Bosch each took one wicket. South Africa’s captain, Temba Bavuma, made a successful decision to bat first, as the visitors posted a total of 352 runs for the loss of five wickets in their allotted 50 overs.