Agha, Rizwan power Pakistan to tri-nation series final with record chase

KARACHI: Pakistan captain Mohammad Rizwan and Salman Ali Agha smashed outstanding hundreds as the home side beat South Africa by six wickets here at National Stadium Karachi and propelled into the final of the tri-nation series.

Agha and Rizwan’s record fourth-wicket partnership helped Pakistan chase a record 353-run target with four wickets and six balls remaining.

Chasing 353, Pakistan got off to a good start as openers Babar Azam (23) and Fakhar Zaman knitted 57 runs in six overs before the former was trapped in front of the stumps by Wiaan Mulder.

Babar Azam once again failed to capitalise good start, scoring 23 runs off 19 deliveries as he hit four boundaries.

Fakhar Zaman and Saud Shakeel stitched a short 36-run partnership for the second wicket before both players fell in quick succession. Saud struck a 16-ball 15 and Fakhar scored 41 from 28 deliveries with six fours and a six.

The total was reduced to 91/3 in 10.4 overs before Rizwan and Agha put up a record partnership.

Agha, who joined Rizwan in the middle after the collapse, reversed the tide of the match by posting Pakistan’s biggest partnership in an ODI run chase.

Before Lungi Ngidi dismissed Salman on the fifth ball of the last over, the pair amassed a record 260 runs for the fourth wicket.

With 134 off 103 deliveries with 16 fours and two sixes, Agha led Pakistan in the case. With an undefeated 122 off 128 deliveries, studded with nine fours and three sixes, Rizwan, on the other hand, carried his bat all the way through.

Agha was adjudged player of the match. Pakistan will face New Zealand in the the final of the tri-nation series at the same venue on February 14.

Earlier batting first, South Africa posted 352-5 thanks to fifties from captain Temba Bavuma, Matthew Breetzke and Heinrich Klaasen.

After opting to bat first, Bavuma gave his team the desired start, stitching a 51-run opening partnership with Tony de Zorzi (22).

Matthew Breetzke joined Bavuma at the crease after the first wicket and scored 119 runs for the second wicket, bringing the team’s total to 170, before the Protease skipper was run out.

Bavuma departed after scoring 82 runs off 96 balls and hitting 13 boundaries. Heinrich Klaasen and Matthew Breetzke teamed forces to assault the Pakistani bowlers, amassing 68 runs in 56 balls before Khushdil Shah dismissed the former.

Wiaan Mulder (2) fell prey to Shaheen before Kyle Verreynne and Klaasen added a quick 78 runs from 48 balls for the fifth wicket.

Heinrich Klaasen scored 87 runs from 56 balls with the help of 11 boundaries and three sixes before Naseem Shah ended his stay at the crease.

Verreynne (44*) and Corbin Bosch (15) took their team’s total to 352-5 in their 50 overs.

For Pakistan, Shaheen Shah Afridi took two wickets while Naseem Shah and Khushdil Shah bagged one each.