Rizwan & Agha Centuries Fuel Pakistan’s Record Chase, Seal Tri-Series Final Berth
Pakistan achieved a remarkable victory over South Africa by 6 wickets in a thrilling encounter at the National Stadium in Karachi on February 12, 2025. This win secured Pakistan’s place in the Tri-Nation Series final against New Zealand, as they successfully chased down a daunting target of 353 runs, marking their highest-ever ODI chase. Mohammad Rizwan and Salman Agha’s unbeaten centuries played a key role in this historic win, as they overcame South Africa’s formidable total of 352/5.
Match Summary
Result: Pakistan won by 6 wickets
South Africa: 352/5 (50 overs)
Pakistan: 355/4 (49 overs)
South Africa Innings
After winning the toss, South Africa opted to bat first and posted a solid total of 352/5. The innings was powered by substantial contributions from their top order:
Heinrich Klaasen: 87 off 61 balls
Matthew Breetzke: 83 off 91 balls
Temba Bavuma: 82 off 87 balls
This collective effort put Pakistan under considerable pressure as the match progressed, but they would later rise to the challenge in a stunning chase.
Pakistan Innings
Pakistan’s chase was anchored by Salman Agha and Mohammad Rizwan, who put on a record-breaking performance to guide their team to victory. Their partnership was unbroken, with both players playing brilliant knocks:
Salman Agha: 134 off 135 balls
Mohammad Rizwan: 122 off 112 balls
Fakhar Zaman: 41 off 43 balls
Agha and Rizwan’s magnificent partnership of 260 runs for the fourth wicket was pivotal in Pakistan’s record chase, as they finished the game with an over to spare.
Key Performances
Salman Agha (Pakistan): 134 off 135 balls
Mohammad Rizwan (Pakistan): 122 off 112 balls
Heinrich Klaasen (South Africa): 87 off 61 balls
Key Records
Pakistan’s Highest ODI Chase: With the win, Pakistan set a new record for their highest-ever ODI chase, successfully chasing down a target of 353, breaking their previous record of 349/4 against Australia in March 2022. Learn more about Pakistan’s previous record chase.
Playing XIs
Pakistan: Fakhar Zaman, Babar Azam, Saud Shakeel, Mohammad Rizwan (captain & wicketkeeper), Salman Agha, Tayyab Tahir, Khushdil Shah, Shaheen Shah Afridi, Mohammed Hasnain, Naseem Shah, Abrar Ahmed
South Africa: Temba Bavuma (captain), Tony de Zorzi, Matthew Breetzke, Kyle Verreynne, Heinrich Klaasen (wicketkeeper), Wiaan Mulder, Senuran Muthusamy, Corbin Bosch, Keshav Maharaj, Lungi Ngidi, Tabraiz Shamsi
A Historic Victory
This triumph marked a significant milestone for Pakistan, not only because of the record chase but also as they now progress to face New Zealand in the Tri-Nation Series final. The win provides a crucial confidence boost as Pakistan prepares for the upcoming Champions Trophy, where they will look to defend their title from 2017. More about Pakistan’s title defence plans.
Rizwan & Agha’s Record-Breaking Partnership
One of the standout moments in this thrilling match was the partnership between Mohammad Rizwan and Salman Agha, who formed the highest-ever fourth-wicket stand for Pakistan in ODIs. Their 260-run partnership is not only the highest ever for any fourth-wicket pair in a successful chase but also one of the highest for any ODI team in history. Both players demonstrated excellent batting skills and an unwavering calm under pressure.
Salman Agha’s knock of 134 runs off 135 balls was a display of controlled aggression and solid technique, as he dominated the South African bowlers. Mohammad Rizwan, the captain of Pakistan, finished with 122 runs off 112 balls and was unbeaten at the end, guiding Pakistan to the target with maturity and composure.
Pakistan’s Bowling Performance
Though Pakistan’s chase dominated the headlines, the bowling performance must also be acknowledged. Shaheen Shah Afridi, Naseem Shah, and Mohammad Hasnain helped limit South Africa’s scoring in the latter stages of the game, ensuring that the target set was achievable despite South Africa’s strong top-order batting.
The Road Ahead
With this victory, Pakistan is on a high heading into the final of the Tri-Nation Series against New Zealand. The team’s performance on February 12 is expected to inspire confidence as they look ahead to the Champions Trophy in 2025, where they will aim to defend their title.
FAQs Section
What was the final result of the Pakistan vs South Africa match on February 12, 2025?
Pakistan won by 6 wickets, chasing down South Africa’s total of 352/5 with 6 balls to spare. This victory secured Pakistan’s place in the Tri-Nation Series final.
Who were the key players in Pakistan’s victory?
The key performers for Pakistan were Salman Agha, who scored 134 runs off 135 balls, and Mohammad Rizwan, who made an unbeaten 122 off 112 balls. Their partnership of 260 runs was a record for the fourth-wicket stand in a successful chase for Pakistan.
What records were broken during the match?
Pakistan set a new record for their highest-ever ODI chase, successfully chasing down a target of 353 runs, surpassing their previous record of 349/4 against Australia in 2022.
Who were the standout players for South Africa?
Heinrich Klaasen was the top scorer for South Africa with 87 runs off 61 balls, followed by Matthew Breetzke (83) and Temba Bavuma (82), who provided valuable contributions.
What’s next for Pakistan in the Tri-Nation Series?
Pakistan is set to face New Zealand in the Tri-Nation Series final after their 6-wicket victory over South Africa.
Meta Description
“Rizwan & Agha’s centuries lead Pakistan to a record chase, securing a place in the Tri-Series final against New Zealand with a thrilling 6-wicket win over South Africa.”
Muhammad Anas
