Centurions Rizwan, Salman power Pakistan to tri-series final with record chase the do-or-die battle

By Ehsan Qureshi at National Stadium, Karachi

(Pakistan News & Features Services)

 

It needed a record chase to edge out South Africa in the do-or-die battle, as Pakistan, powered by centuries from skipper Muhammad Rizwan and Salman Ali Agha, stormed into the tri-series final with an emphatic six-wicket victory at National Stadium, Karachi, under floodlights late on the evening of February 12. 

The record-breaking 260-run fourth wicket stand between Rizwan and Salman, who got together at a precarious 91 for three in pursuit of a massive 353, turned the game on its head and Pakistan emerged triumphant with an over to spare. It was Pakistan’s first ever successful chase in the excess of 350. 

Rizwan finished unconquered on 122 while Salman was caught behind off Wiann Mulder for 134, his maiden ODI hundred with the hosts needing only two runs for victory. Tayyab Tahir struck the winning boundary much to the cheers and thrills of the strong crowd of over 15,000. 

 This was Rizwan’s fourth century. Overall, he cracked nine fours and three sixes in his classy unconquered 122 after facing 128 balls. Salman’s 103-ball 134 was spiced with 16 powerful boundaries and brace of sixes. 

Rizwan reached his hundred in style by hoisting Mulder for six at mid-wicket. It came in 106 balls with seven fours and three sixes. 

Salman made his maiden ODI century in 87 balls and it was spiced with 13 sizzling boundaries, Pakistan had their backs to the wall at 91-3 in 11th over despite yet another rapid start. 

Explosive left-hander Fakhar Zaman went was snapped by Heinrich Klassen off Mulder for 41 while Babar Azam (23) and Saud Shakeel (16) perished cheaply. 

Rizwan and Salman, however, batted with courage and intent to change the course of the match as the South African bowling struggled to build any kind of pressure despite having a variety in their attack. The match gradually slipped out of their hands and they succumbed to their sixth defeat on a trot in ODIs. 

Earlier Klassan, Mathew Breetzke and captain Temba Bavuma hit contrasting 80s as South Africa posted a competitive total of 352 for five in 50 overs, having opted to bat first. 

All three batters were looking set for centuries but neither of them could reach the coveted three-figure mark. Power-hitter Klassen was in a punishing mood as he struck a whirlwind 87 in his trademark style studded with 11 boundaries and three sixes in his 56-ball knock. 

He looked good for many more when plucked by Shaheen Afridi near the fence off Naseem Shah. The dangerous Klassen took 20 runs off Shaheen’s final over which included successive sixes and a four on first three balls. 

The rapid knock gave impetus to South African innings to reach 350 plus mark. Bavuma first set up 51 runs opening stand with opener Tony Zorzi, who went after making 22 off 18 balls with three boundaries and a six. 

Bavuma then consolidated his team’s innings by adding 119 runs off 125 balls for the second wicket with Breetzke. Due to Klassen and Kyle Verreynne’s aggressive display, South Africa mustered 110 with entertaining stroke play in the last ten overs. The eventual total of 353 was the highest of the tri-series but it proved inadequate in the end.

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