ODI tri-series: Pakistan chase down 353-run target versus South Africa
What's the story
Pakistan tamed South Africa in a high-scoring affair at National Stadium, Karachi on Wednesday. Centuries from Mohammad Rizwan and Salman Agha helped the hosts chase down South Africa's target of 353. Earlier, the Proteas managed 352/5 in 50 overs. Temba Bavuma (82), Matthew Breetzke (83) and Heinrich Klaasen (87) shone for the visitors. In response, Rizwan and Salman's 260-run stand helped Pakistan win (355/4).
SA
SA batters make merry with a mammoth score
Bavuma and Tony de Zorzi got SA off to a brisk start. The pair added 51 runs. Thereafter, Breetzke came in and continued from where he left in the previous match. Along with captain Bavuma, the two kept the scoreboard ticking with a superb hundred-plus partnership. Breetzke and Klaasen then took over. Kyle Verreynne's 32-ball 44* played a key role as well.
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A look at the Pakistan bowlers
Shaheen Afridi claimed 2/66 from his 10 overs. Naseem Shah finished with 1/68 (10 overs). Khushdil Shah bowled 7 overs and picked 1/39. Spinner Abrar Ahmed managed 0/63. Mohammad Hasnain proved to be costly (0/72) from 8 overs.
Bavuma
10th fifty-plus score in ODIs for Bavuma
Bavuma's 82-run knock had 13 fours. It came from 96 balls. He struck at 85.42. A run-out resulted in the latter's downfall. Bavuma was out in the 29th over. Notably, Breetzke responded to Bavuma's call but aborted. In 46 matches, he owns 1,733 runs at 43.32. This was his 10th fifty-plus score 100s: 5, 50s: 5). He owns a strike rate of 88-plus.
Matthew
Matthew Breetzke hammers 2nd successive fifty-plus score in ODIs
Breetzke, who smoked a record-breaking 150 in the ongoing ODI tri-series, backed it up with a score of 83 from 84 balls. In the 39th over, Salman Agha's brilliant catch resulted in Breetzke's wicket. Breetzke's 83 came off 84 balls. He slammed 10 fours and a six. In two matches, he now owns 233 runs at 116.5. His strike rate is 100.43.
Klaasen
Klaasen surpasses 2,000 runs with 10th ODI fifty
Klaasen smashed 11 fours and three sixes, striking at 155.36. With this knock of 87, Klaasen has raced to 2,074 runs in ODIs at 44.12. In addition to 4 tons, he has smashed 10 fifties. His strike rate is 117-plus. As per ESPNcricinfo, he owns 379 runs from 10 matches against Pakistan (50s: 4).
PAK innings
A look at Pakistan's innings
Pakistan openers Fakhar Zaman and Babar Azam added 57 runs. Thereafter, the side was reduced to 91/3 in 10.4 overs. Fakhar was out for 41 whereas Saud Shakeel fell for 15. Rizwan and Salman steered the ship with a record-breaking stand. They were solid and made sure to stay until the very end on a surface that assisted scoring.
Rizwan
Rizwan slams 122*, hits his 4th ton
Rizwan smashed an unbeaten 122 from 128 balls. He hit nine fours and three sixes. The century takes Rizwan to 2,477 runs in ODIs at 42.70. This was his 4th ton in ODIs. He also owns 15 fifties from 85 matches (76 innings). In 10 matches against SA, he owns 343 runs at 42.87. This was his maiden century (50s: 2).
Salman
Salman hits his maiden century in ODIs
Salman was the chief architect. He smashed 134 runs from 103 balls, hitting 16 fours and two sixes. He struck at 130.10. In 32 matches, he owns 870 runs at 45.78. This was his maiden ODI century (50s: 5). His strike rate reads 100. In 4 matches versus SA, he has 297 runs at 99. He has one ton and one fifty.
Do you know?
Highest 4th-wicket stand for Pakistan in ODIs
The 260-run stand between Rizwan and Salman is now the highest 4th-wicket partnership for Pakistan in ODIs. This is also their 3rd-highest stand for any wicket in ODIs. This is also their highest stand (any wicket) versus the Proteas in ODIs.
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Pakistan to face New Zealand in tri-series final
Pakistan will face New Zealand in the ODI tri-series final. New Zealand won both their matches, beating Pakistan and South Africa. Meanwhile, the Proteas are out of the tournament.