Pakistan v South Africa: Mohammad Rizwan and Salman Agha hit centuries in record chase

Pakistan continued their preparations for their Champions Trophy defence with a six-wicket win over South Africa as they pulled off the highest one-day international run chase in their history.

Mohammad Rizwan and Salman Agha both cracked centuries as Pakistan overhauled South Africa’s total of 353-5 with six balls to spare.

The pair shared an ODI record fourth-wicket stand for Pakistan of 260, as Rizwan made his fourth century in the format and Salman his first.

Rizwan hit nine fours and three sixes in his unbeaten 122 off 128 balls, while Salman’s 103-ball knock of 134 featured 16 fours and two sixes.

Pakistan will now play New Zealand in the final of a tri-series tournament involving themselves and South Africa on Friday.

Pakistan’s chase bettered the 349-4 they scored in a victory over Australia in Lahore in March 2022.

“When Agha and I were batting, we set targets. We failed to achieve them a couple of times but mostly did,” Rizwan said.

“When God helps, you break all kinds of records. We gave our full effort.”

Earlier, South Africa had posted 352-5 from their 50 overs after they had won the toss at the National Bank Cricket Arena in Karachi and batted first.

Heinrich Klaasen hit a 56-ball 87 to top score for the Proteas while Temba Bavuma and Matthew Breetzke chipped in with 82 and 83 respectively as Shaheen Afridi claimed 2-66.

Breetzke’s knock continued his stellar start to ODIs – 233 runs in two matches – as he followed up his 150 on debut with another impressive innings.

The 26-year-old has now bettered Desmond Haynes’ aggregate of 195 runs in his first two matches for West Indies in1978.

One concern for South Africa was a thumb injury sustained by wicketkeeper Klaasen, who left the field in the 32nd over and handed the gloves to Kyle Verreynne.

Champions Trophy hosts Pakistan, who won the event in 2017, face New Zealand on 19 February in the tournament’s opening match in Karachi.

South Africa face Afghanistan in their first match on 21 February.