Centuries from skipper Mohammad Rizwan and all-rounder Salman Agha helped Pakistan beat South Africa in the third ODI on Wednesday, to reach the Tri-Series final on February 14.
Pakistan and South Africa both lost their respective matches to New Zealand. This made their encounter a virtual knockout game and the high-scoring match was a thriller.
Pakistan chased down a record target of 353 and won with six balls to spare. Rizwan and Salman added a fourth-wicket partnership of 260 to size up the victory for the Men in Green. Agha scored 122 while Rizwan scored an unbeaten 134 to take the side home.
South Africa Outplayed In The Run-Fest In Karachi
Previously, South Africa won the toss and opted to bat first in this decider contest. Skipper Temba Bavuma scored (82 off 96 balls) and added a 51-run stand opening stand with Tony de Zorzi (22 off 18). Matthew Breeytzke who scored 150 in the previous game scored (83 off 84 balls) and added a 119-run stand with his skipper. Heinrich Klaasesn then walked out to bat at number four and scored (87 off 56 balls). The top-order thus bolstered the run-scoring with a few good contributions. Kyle Verreynne (44* off 32) and Corbin Bosch (15* off 9) then added some crucial runs in the lower-order to take South Africa to 352.
Also Read: PAK vs SA 1st Innings Highlights: Matthew Breetzke & Heinrich Klassen help South Africa post 352
With the ball, Shaheen Afridi picked up two wickets while Naseem Shah and Khusdil Shah picked one each. All the bowlers were taken to the cleaners as the Protean batters scored off them with a heavy strike rate. Mohammad Hasnain was the most expensive Pakistan bowler as he went for 72 runs in his 8 overs.
Pakistan in the chase displayed some brilliant batting and flexed their muscles. Fakhar Zaman (44) and Babar Azam (23) added 57 for the first wicket inside seven overs. The opening stand laid the perfect platform for the likes of Rizwan and Salman Ali Agha to present a batting master-class in Karachi.
If anything, the final ODI match was perhaps an example as to what the teams might encounter in the upcoming Champions Trophy in Pakistan. The venues have produced high-scoring games in recent times and the ICC event too might be a high-scoring affair.
In the end, Pakistan won the match by six wickets that sets up the Tri-Series now between Pakistan and New Zealand on February 14, Friday.
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