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The Pakistan National Cricket Team vs South Africa National Cricket Team match scorecard from the ODI Tri-Series clash in Karachi on February 12, 2025, tells the story of one of the greatest run chases in Pakistan’s ODI history. In a match packed with centuries, momentum swings, and high-pressure moments, South Africa posted a massive 352/5 after an outstanding batting display. Pakistan responded with remarkable composure, recovering from early setbacks to reach 355/4 and secure a six-wicket victory. The contest showcased elite batting from both sides and produced several memorable performances that significantly influenced the tournament standings.
Match Overview
The third ODI of the Pakistan Tri-Series was effectively a knockout contest. Both teams had lost to New Zealand earlier in the tournament, meaning the winner would advance to the final.
| Match Details | Information |
|---|---|
| Match | Pakistan vs South Africa, 3rd ODI |
| Series | Pakistan ODI Tri-Series 2025 |
| Venue | National Stadium, Karachi |
| Date | February 12, 2025 |
| Toss | South Africa won and elected to bat |
| South Africa | 352/5 (50 overs) |
| Pakistan | 355/4 (49 overs) |
| Result | Pakistan won by 6 wickets |
| Player of the Match | Mohammad Rizwan (122*) |
South Africa’s total of 352 looked match-winning on most occasions. However, Pakistan produced a record chase thanks to a magnificent partnership between Mohammad Rizwan and Salman Agha. The match became an instant ODI classic because both teams crossed 350 runs, yet the chasing side still prevailed with an over to spare.
Match Summary
| Innings | Score |
|---|---|
| South Africa | 352/5 (50 overs) |
| Pakistan | 355/4 (49 overs) |
| Winning Margin | Pakistan won by 6 wickets |
The scorecard alone highlights how batting dominated the contest. South Africa produced three scores above 80, while Pakistan responded with two centuries. The chase was especially impressive because Pakistan were reduced to 91/3 before staging a remarkable comeback. The pressure of a virtual semifinal added extra significance to every partnership and every boundary.
Toss and Team Decisions
South Africa captain Temba Bavuma won the toss and chose to bat first on a flat Karachi surface.
The decision was understandable. The pitch offered excellent batting conditions, and South Africa aimed to put scoreboard pressure on Pakistan. Initially, the move appeared successful as the Proteas piled up 352 runs. However, the same batting-friendly conditions later helped Pakistan complete the chase.
In hindsight, dew and the improving conditions under lights may have favored the chasing side. Nevertheless, South Africa’s total was large enough that few believed Pakistan would overhaul it.
South Africa Innings Analysis
South Africa’s innings featured contributions throughout the top order.
South Africa Batting Scorecard
| Batter | Runs | Balls | 4s | 6s |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tony de Zorzi | 22 | 18 | 3 | 1 |
| Temba Bavuma | 82 | 96 | 13 | 0 |
| Matthew Breetzke | 83 | 84 | 10 | 1 |
| Heinrich Klaasen | 87 | 56 | 11 | 3 |
| Wiaan Mulder | 2 | 6 | 0 | 0 |
| Kyle Verreynne* | 44 | 32 | 3 | 1 |
| Corbin Bosch* | 15 | 9 | 1 | 1 |
| Extras | 17 | |||
| Total | 352/5 | 50 Overs |
Bavuma anchored the innings expertly after an aggressive start from Tony de Zorzi. Matthew Breetzke continued his excellent form with another fluent knock, while Heinrich Klaasen transformed the innings during the death overs. Klaasen’s strike rate above 155 ensured South Africa accelerated dramatically in the final ten overs.
Verreynne and Bosch provided valuable finishing touches, pushing the total beyond 350. At the innings break, South Africa appeared firmly in control of the contest.
Pakistan Bowling Scorecard
| Pakistan Bowler | Overs | Runs | Wickets |
|---|---|---|---|
| Shaheen Afridi | 10 | 66 | 2 |
| Naseem Shah | 10 | 68 | 1 |
| Abrar Ahmed | 10 | 63 | 0 |
| Mohammad Hasnain | 8 | 72 | 0 |
| Agha Salman | 5 | 33 | 0 |
| Khushdil Shah | 7 | 39 | 1 |
Pakistan’s bowlers struggled for control during large portions of the innings. The standout performers were Shaheen Afridi and Khushdil Shah, who managed to break key partnerships. However, South Africa’s batting depth prevented Pakistan from fully capitalizing on those breakthroughs.
The figures also demonstrate how difficult batting conditions were. Even Pakistan’s leading bowlers conceded well over six runs per over.
Pakistan Innings Analysis
Chasing 353 required Pakistan to produce one of their greatest ODI batting efforts.
The innings began aggressively, with Fakhar Zaman scoring quickly. However, wickets fell at crucial intervals, leaving Pakistan at 91/3. South Africa sensed an opportunity to tighten their grip on the game.
Instead, Mohammad Rizwan and Salman Agha delivered one of the finest ODI partnerships ever seen in Pakistan cricket.
Pakistan Batting Scorecard
| Batter | Runs | Balls | 4s | 6s |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fakhar Zaman | 41 | 28 | 6 | 1 |
| Babar Azam | 23 | 19 | 4 | 0 |
| Saud Shakeel | 15 | 16 | 2 | 0 |
| Mohammad Rizwan* | 122 | 128 | 9 | 3 |
| Salman Agha | 134 | 103 | 16 | 2 |
| Tayyab Tahir* | 4 | 1 | 1 | 0 |
| Total | 355/4 | 49 Overs |
Pakistan’s chase can be divided into two phases. The first phase featured attacking intent but also regular wickets. The second phase belonged entirely to Rizwan and Salman.
Salman Agha’s maiden ODI century was played with fearless stroke-making, while Rizwan controlled the chase with maturity and exceptional game awareness. Together, they turned a difficult pursuit into a memorable victory.
South Africa Bowling Figures
| Bowler | Overs | Runs | Wickets |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lungi Ngidi | 9 | 74 | 1 |
| Wiaan Mulder | 8 | 2 | |
| Corbin Bosch | 10 | 1 | |
| Tabraiz Shamsi | 9 | 53 | 0 |
| Keshav Maharaj | 10 | 0 |
South Africa’s bowlers started well by removing Pakistan’s top order. However, once Rizwan and Salman settled, the attack struggled to regain control.
The spinners were unable to create sustained pressure in the middle overs. South Africa’s inability to break the fourth-wicket partnership ultimately proved decisive.
Even experienced bowlers such as Maharaj and Shamsi found little assistance from the surface as Pakistan’s batters rotated strike effectively and punished loose deliveries.
Top Performers
| Player | Performance |
|---|---|
| Mohammad Rizwan | 122* (128) |
| Salman Agha | 134 (103) |
| Heinrich Klaasen | 87 (56) |
| Matthew Breetzke | 83 (84) |
| Temba Bavuma | 82 (96) |
| Shaheen Afridi | 2/66 |
Rizwan earned Player of the Match for his unbeaten century and calm leadership during the chase. Salman Agha’s 134 was equally influential and arguably the innings that shifted momentum permanently.
For South Africa, Klaasen‘s explosive 87 looked match-winning at the innings break. Bavuma and Breetzke also produced innings of high quality, but their efforts were ultimately overshadowed by Pakistan’s record chase.
How The Match Was Won
Pakistan won because they mastered the middle overs during the chase.
After losing three wickets, Rizwan and Salman refused to panic. Rather than attempting risky strokes, they accumulated steadily and kept the required rate under control. Once set, both batters accelerated intelligently.
Another crucial factor was strike rotation. South Africa rarely built pressure because Pakistan consistently converted singles into twos and avoided dot-ball sequences.
Pakistan also handled the death overs better. While South Africa finished strongly with Klaasen’s late assault, Pakistan’s finish was more controlled and efficient.
The winning formula included:
- Calm recovery after early wickets.
- Exceptional fourth-wicket partnership.
- Smart strike rotation.
- Timely acceleration after the 30th over.
- Minimal batting collapses.
- Strong finishing under pressure.
These elements combined to produce Pakistan’s highest successful ODI chase.
Key Moments That Changed The Game
Bavuma’s Run-Out on 82
South Africa’s captain was controlling the innings beautifully. His dismissal halted momentum and prevented the Proteas from building an even larger total.
Klaasen’s Late Blitz
Klaasen’s 87 from 56 balls lifted South Africa beyond 350. Without his acceleration, Pakistan’s chase would have been significantly easier.
Pakistan Slipping to 91/3
At this stage South Africa held the advantage. Pakistan needed something special to stay alive in the contest.
Salman Agha’s Century
His aggressive hundred shifted momentum completely. South Africa’s bowlers had no answer once he began attacking regularly.
Rizwan’s Match Management
The Pakistan captain paced the chase perfectly. His unbeaten century ensured there were no late complications.
The 260-Run Partnership
This was the defining moment of the match. It turned a difficult chase into a historic victory.
Key Statistics From The Match
| Statistic | Value |
|---|---|
| South Africa Total | 352/5 |
| Pakistan Total | 355/4 |
| Winning Margin | 6 wickets |
| Highest Score | Salman Agha – 134 |
| Best South Africa Score | Klaasen – 87 |
| Largest Partnership | Rizwan/Salman – 260 |
| Player of the Match | Mohammad Rizwan |
| Overs Remaining | 1 over |
These numbers highlight how extraordinary the match was. Two teams combined for more than 700 runs, yet the contest remained competitive throughout.
Pakistan’s chase established a new benchmark for successful ODI pursuits by the team. The 260-run partnership also became one of the most memorable stands in recent Pakistan ODI history.
Final Result and Significance
Pakistan defeated South Africa by six wickets and qualified for the Tri-Series final against New Zealand. The victory provided a significant confidence boost ahead of major international commitments and showcased the team’s ability to chase huge totals under pressure.
For South Africa, the defeat was disappointing because their batting unit had done enough to win most ODI matches. However, their inability to break Pakistan’s fourth-wicket stand proved costly.
The match will be remembered for its outstanding batting quality, record chase, and the magnificent partnership between Mohammad Rizwan and Salman Agha that rewrote Pakistan’s ODI record books.
FAQs
Who won the Pakistan vs South Africa ODI Tri-Series match in Karachi?
Pakistan won the match by six wickets after successfully chasing South Africa’s massive total of 352/5. The victory secured Pakistan’s place in the Tri-Series final. Despite South Africa producing three major individual scores and posting one of the highest totals of the tournament, Pakistan responded with a record-breaking chase led by Mohammad Rizwan and Salman Agha. The hosts reached 355/4 with six balls remaining and completed their highest successful ODI chase.
Who was named Player of the Match in Pakistan vs South Africa?
Mohammad Rizwan received the Player of the Match award for his unbeaten 122 from 128 deliveries. The Pakistan captain played a composed innings under pressure and guided the chase from start to finish. His ability to rotate strike, absorb pressure, and accelerate when required was crucial. Although Salman Agha scored 134, Rizwan’s unbeaten century and leadership during the chase earned him the official award.
What was the highest partnership of the match?
The highest partnership was the 260-run fourth-wicket stand between Mohammad Rizwan and Salman Agha. Pakistan were struggling at 91/3 when the pair came together. Their partnership completely changed the direction of the game and removed South Africa’s advantage. Both batters scored centuries and maintained excellent control of the chase. The stand is considered one of the most important ODI partnerships in Pakistan cricket history.
How many runs did Salman Agha score?
Salman Agha scored 134 runs from 103 deliveries and registered his maiden ODI century. His innings included 16 fours and 2 sixes. More importantly, he shifted momentum toward Pakistan at a stage when the chase appeared difficult. Agha attacked South Africa’s bowlers consistently and ensured the required run rate remained manageable. His partnership with Rizwan became the foundation of Pakistan’s victory.
What were South Africa’s best batting performances?
South Africa’s batting effort was led by Heinrich Klaasen’s explosive 87 from 56 balls, Matthew Breetzke’s 83, and captain Temba Bavuma’s 82. Together, these innings helped the Proteas reach 352/5 in 50 overs. Klaasen’s aggressive stroke play during the closing overs significantly boosted the total. At the innings break, South Africa looked favorites because scores above 350 are rarely chased successfully in ODI cricket.
Why is this match considered historic for Pakistan cricket?
The match is remembered because Pakistan completed their highest successful ODI run chase. Chasing 353 against a strong South African side required exceptional batting discipline and execution. The centuries from Rizwan and Salman Agha, combined with their record partnership, produced one of the finest ODI victories in Pakistan’s recent history. The win also carried tournament significance as it secured qualification for the Tri-Series final and boosted confidence before future international competitions.
