Key points
- Pakistan will face New Zealand in Tri-Nation ODI Series Final
- The match will start at 2:00 pm Pakistan Standard Time
- Pakistan beat South Africa to secure a place in the final
ISLAMABAD: The final of Tri-Nation One Day International series will be played between Pakistan and New Zealand in Karachi on Friday. The match will start at 2:00 pm Pakistan Standard Time. Cricket lovers and fans are eagerly waiting for the match between the hosts and visitors.
Fans expressed hope that Pakistan will win the final match as the team showed brilliant performance during the last match against South Africa in Karachi.
Pakistan secured a place in the final of the tri-nation ODI series after pulling off a historic run chase against South Africa at the National Bank Stadium in Karachi on Wednesday.
A record fourth-wicket partnership between Mohammad Rizwan and Salman Ali Agha guided the home side to a thrilling six-wicket victory in a high-stakes elimination match.
Chasing an imposing 353-run target, Pakistan achieved the milestone with six balls to spare, thanks to Rizwan and Salman’s 260-run stand—the highest fourth-wicket partnership in Pakistan’s ODI history during a run chase.
Salman’s maiden ODI century and Rizwan’s composed ton turned the tide after an early collapse threatened Pakistan’s hopes.
A historic run chase
Pakistan’s chase got off to a shaky start when opener Babar Azam was dismissed for 23 off 19 balls by Wiaan Mulder in the seventh over.
Fakhar Zaman and Saud Shakeel provided a brief 36-run partnership before both departed in quick succession, reducing Pakistan to 91-3 in the 11th over. Fakhar Zaman contributed 41 off 28 balls, while Saud managed 15 from 16 deliveries.
With Pakistan in trouble, Salman Ali Agha and Mohammad Rizwan stepped up to stabilise the innings. Salman played a career-defining knock, scoring 134 off 103 balls, including 16 fours and two sixes, before falling to Lungi Ngidi in the penultimate over.
Skipper Muhammad Rizwan remained unbeaten on 122 from 128 deliveries, striking nine fours and three sixes, ensuring Pakistan crossed the finish line comfortably.
For South Africa, Wiaan Mulder took two wickets, while Ngidi and Corbin Bosch claimed one each.
Earlier, South Africa, led by skipper Temba Bavuma, posted a formidable 352/5 after opting to bat first. The Proteas’ top order laid a solid foundation, with Bavuma and Matthew Breetzke forging a 119-run partnership for the second wicket.
Opener Tony de Zorzi made a brisk 21 before falling to Shaheen Afridi in the eighth over. Bavuma was eventually run out for a well-made 82 off 96 balls, while Breetzke anchored the innings with an 83-run knock off 84 deliveries.
Salman Ali Agha’s century
Wicketkeeper Heinrich Klaasen added late fireworks, smashing 87 off just 56 balls, featuring 11 fours and three sixes. His efforts propelled South Africa past the 350-run mark despite losing wickets at regular intervals.
Shaheen Afridi led Pakistan’s bowling attack with two wickets for 66 runs, while Khushdil Shah and Naseem Shah picked up a wicket each.
Salman Ali Agha’s century proved to be a breakthrough performance in his ODI career. Prior to this match, he had accumulated 736 runs at an average of 40.88, with five half-centuries but no centuries.
