Pakistan vs South Africa TNS 3rd Match Highlights 12-02-2025

Watch cricket video highlights of Pakistan Tri-Nation Series 2025. Third ODI between Pakistan and New Zealand. Venue of the match will be Karachi.


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Salman Agha’s inaugural ODI century and Mohammad Rizwan’s fourth contributed to Pakistan achieving their largest successful chase in ODIs, earning them a place in the tri-series final against New Zealand on Saturday. Rizwan and Salman, who serve as Pakistan’s captain and vice-captain, set a record for the fourth-wicket partnership of 260, the highest against South Africa and fourth-highest in any chase. South Africa has never faced a higher score chased down against them.

On a pitch ideal for batting, Pakistan’s performance overshadowed Temba Bavuma’s best ODI score since September 2023, with Matthew Breetzke emerging as the leading run-scorer after two matches (233) and Heinrich Klaasen recording his fourth consecutive score of 80 or more in the highest-scoring clash between these two teams. It was undoubtedly a challenging day for bowlers, particularly for seamers.

Pakistan’s fast bowlers surrendered 206 runs in 28 overs, with Mohammad Hasnain conceding 72 runs in his eight overs, while South Africa’s pace bowlers allowed 223 runs in 27 overs. South Africa now faces a streak of six consecutive ODI losses. In the end, South Africa may be more worried about Klaasen hurting his thumb than the defeat itself. Klaasen left the pitch in the 32nd over, passing the wicket-keeping gloves to Kyle Verreynne after being struck on the right thumb by a low delivery from Corbin Bosch.

There was no immediate information regarding Klaasen’s injury status. Pakistan had never given away more runs in Karachi and had only previously permitted South Africa to score higher against them, making their task challenging from the start. However, their chase began rapidly with Fakhar Zaman and Babar Azam putting together 56 runs in the first six overs, effectively dismantling both Lungi Ngidi and Corbin Bosch. Wiaan Mulder was brought in as a first-change bowler early, in the seventh over, and made an impact with his first legitimate delivery.

He cramped Babar for space as he attempted to flick the ball, resulting in a front pad appeal. Babar reviewed right away, but Ultraedge confirmed no bat was involved, and the ball was on track to hit the middle stump. Saud Shakeel, who was added to the lineup for this match, maintained the pressure and scored 15 runs off 16 balls before misjudging a pull shot off Bosch, leading to a catch for Mulder at deep mid-wicket. Pakistan’s powerplay total of 91 for 2 marked their third-best since 2002 and positioned them favorably.

South Africa soon gained the upper hand when, just four balls into the 11th over, Fakhar edged a ball from Mulder while playing inside the line, resulting in a diving catch by Klaasen to his left. Rizwan had faced only two deliveries, one of which he pulled for four, when he was joined by Salman, who now faced the task of stabilizing the innings. Pakistan managed just one boundary in the subsequent seven overs, causing the required run-rate to exceed 7.3, but gradually, they began to find scoring opportunities.

Salman capitalized on any full deliveries from the spinners, and the duo effectively rotated the strike, bringing Pakistan to 163 for 3 at the halfway mark, still needing 190 runs. At that juncture, Senuran Muthusamy entered the attack, and by his third over, Rizwan targeted him, launching a shot over long-on to signal the century partnership. By that time, Rizwan had already reached fifty, and Salman soon followed suit, securing his fifty off 51 deliveries.

Although the necessary run-rate remained between seven to eight runs per over, neither Salman nor Rizwan lost their composure, and they received ample boundary deliveries to keep the scoreboard moving. South Africa was culpable of providing too much width, failing to adjust their lengths, coupled with occasional subpar fielding. By the time Pakistan entered their final ten overs, they required 82 runs. South Africa had managed 110 runs in the same time frame, so Pakistan understood the target was achievable.

Both established batsmen were nearing the 90s, with Rizwan reaching the milestone first after he launched Mulder over deep mid-wicket, off the 106th delivery he faced. In the same over, Salman also notched his century with a single. His hundred came off just 87 balls. Pakistan crossed 300 in the 44th over and needed only 32 runs in the final five overs. Even though Salman was dismissed before the match concluded, Pakistan achieved their target with six balls remaining, leaving South Africa questioning how many runs they missed.

South Africa began their innings powerfully, finishing the powerplay at 64 for 1, with both Bavuma and Breetzke in fine form. Breetzke, in particular, was striking the ball at over 100, allowing Bavuma to play a more tempered role as he neared his first fifty in 17 innings. He reached his half-century with a single off Salman but then accelerated once more. Overall, Bavuma played more adventurously than usual and attempted an expansive drive off left-arm spinner Khusdil Shah but edged it past Rizwan. Shortly after.

He tried to slog Khusdil over square leg but top-edged the ball. Naseem Shah misjudged the catch and dropped Bavuma when he was on 60. Pakistan managed to keep South Africa relatively subdued for the next eight overs, scoring at under five runs per over but growing frustrated with their inability to capture a wicket. Breetzke reached fifty off 46 balls, although Hasnain believed he had him out lbw when he missed a leg-side whip. Rizwan was eager to review, but ball-tracking indicated the ball was going down the leg side.

Recognizing an opportunity to shift the momentum, Rizwan called Shaheen Shah back into the attack in the 27th over, where he challenged the batters with both speed and aggression. Intense stare-downs and verbal exchanges ensued. At one point, Afridi obstructed Breetzke as he completed a single, resulting in contact. Breetzke stood his ground, confronted Shaheen, and both players needed to be separated by the umpires and teammates.

In the subsequent over, Bavuma played Hasnain to backward point and bolted for a single, seeking confirmation from Breetzke, who sent him back too late. Saud Shakeel dashed in, and with a one-handed pickup and throw, ran Bavuma out, celebrating in his face for good measure. Bavuma was left on 82, having squandered a prime opportunity for a century, while South Africa still had 21.5 overs to bat. Klaasen was sent in at No.4 and scored seven runs off 14 balls before finding his rhythm.

He smashed Hasnain for four consecutive fours in his sixth over—over mid-on, mid-off, square-leg, and deep mid-wicket—bringing up 200 and revitalizing the innings. That over cost a hefty 16 runs, followed by the next four overs yielding 36 runs, putting South Africa back on track for a significant total. Breetzke was dismissed in spectacular fashion by a catch from Salman, who dove across and reached out with his right hand to snag the ball just above the ground as Breetzke attempted to power it through the covers.

Mulder was caught at point in the following over, and South Africa entered the last ten overs at 242 for 4, feeling relatively secure with Klaasen at the crease. He launched a massive 95-meter six just five balls into that phase, reached his half-century off 38 deliveries, and then truly exploded into action. His next 37 runs came off just 18 balls, and he showed no mercy. Afridi faced particularly harsh treatment as Klaasen hit him for consecutive sixes in an over that yielded 20 runs. When he attempted to do the same to Naseem, Klaasen sent a low full toss to long-on. Ultimately, the difference was Pakistan’s two centuries compared to South Africa’s none.