Rizwan - Salman 260 run stand help Pakistan to beat SA in an ODI game marred by frayed tempers & reach final

 

Before the Champions Trophy, Pakistan’s team delivered a stunning performance, successfully chasing a massive target of 353 runs against South Africa and securing a 6-wicket victory. With this win, Pakistan also qualified for the final of the tri-series. To reach the final, they had to defeat South Africa in Karachi at any cost, and they did so in style.

The victory was largely driven by captain Mohammad Rizwan and Salman Agha, both of whom scored brilliant centuries. Their partnership of 260 runs came at a crucial moment when Pakistan was struggling and facing elimination from the final. Rizwan remained unbeaten with 122 runs, while Salman played an outstanding knock of 134 runs.

Pakistan’s Road to the Final

To prepare for the Champions Trophy, Pakistan organized a tri-series featuring New Zealand and South Africa. After losing their first match in the series, Pakistan was at risk of an early exit on home soil. However, Rizwan and Salman turned things around with their heroic performances in Karachi.

In the match held on Wednesday, February 12, South Africa won the toss and opted to bat first, posting a daunting total of 352 runs. In response, Pakistan lost three quick wickets at just 91 runs. Having already lost to New Zealand earlier, another defeat would have meant elimination. At that moment, Rizwan and Salman stepped up, forming a match-winning partnership of 260 runs.

Turning the Game Around

Both batters played crucial innings when Pakistan was under pressure. Their centuries turned the tide of the game, taking the team to 351 runs for the loss of just three wickets in 48.4 overs. Salman was eventually dismissed after scoring 134 runs off 108 balls, but by then, victory was all but assured. Pakistan needed only two more runs from seven balls. Tayyab Tahir sealed the win with a boundary, and Pakistan claimed victory with six balls to spare.

Overcoming the Early Setbacks

Chasing 353, Pakistan got off to a strong start with Babar Azam and Fakhar Zaman scoring quickly in the powerplay. However, Babar was dismissed in the 7th over after scoring 23 runs off 19 balls, with the team's total at 57. Fakhar continued his aggressive batting, but Saud Shakeel fell in the 10th over with the score at 87.

At No. 4, Rizwan came in and tried to stabilize the innings. However, in the 11th over, Fakhar also departed after scoring 41 runs off 28 balls, leaving Pakistan struggling at 91/3. That’s when Rizwan and Salman took charge, first steadying the innings and then accelerating the scoring. Rizwan kept rotating the strike while Salman played aggressive strokes at regular intervals. Once set, they both started scoring freely, putting together a remarkable 260-run stand that completely turned the match in Pakistan’s favor.

Earlier in the match , Pakistani players were seen troubling their visiting team, engaging in actions that were unnecessary. They continuously shouted and yelled at the South African players & there werefrayed tempers between the players of both teams , but in response, the visitors punished Pakistan’s bowlers with an aggressive batting display.

Temba Bavuma scored 82 runs, while Matthew Breetzke notched up a fluent 83, and Heinrich Klaasen played a belligerent knock of 87 runs. South Africa put up a formidable total of 352 runs for the loss of five wickets in their 50 overs.

Among Pakistan’s bowlers, Shaheen Afridi conceded 66 runs in his 10 overs while taking two wickets. Naseem Shah gave away 68 runs in 10 overs with one wicket, and Khushdil Shah managed one wicket for 39 runs in seven overs. However, Abrar Ahmed went wicketless, conceding 63 runs in his 10 overs, while Mohammad Hasnain also failed to take a wicket, leaking 72 runs in eight overs.