“Pakistan’s Historic 353 Chase vs South Africa: Record-Breaking Partnership Steers Triumph in Karachi”

Introduction

In a jaw-dropping display of batting prowess, Pakistan scripted history on 12 February 2025 at Karachi’s National Stadium, chasing down South Africa’s mammoth 352/5 with six wickets and six balls to spare. This victory not only secured Pakistan’s place in the Tri-Series final against New Zealand but also shattered multiple records, cementing this match as one of the greatest ODI chases ever 39.

Match Summary

• South Africa: 352/5 (50 overs)
  • Top Performers: Heinrich Klaasen (87 off 56), Matthew Breetzke (83 off 84), Temba Bavuma (82 off 96) 
  • Key Moment: Klaasen’s explosive 56-ball knock, including 11 fours and 3 sixes, propelled SA to 110 runs in the last 10 overs 7.
• Pakistan: 355/4 (49 overs)
  • Heroes: Mohammad Rizwan (122* off 128) and Salman Agha (134 off 103) forged a 260-run stand, Pakistan’s highest partnership in a chase 
  • Result: Pakistan won by 6 wickets, surpassing their previous highest chase of 349 vs Australia (2022) 

Key Performances

1. Salman Agha’s Maiden Century
   • Scored 134 off 103 balls (16 fours, 2 sixes), his first ODI century.
   • Dominated spinners with aggressive strokeplay, maintaining a strike rate of 130.09 310.
2. Rizwan’s Captain’s Knock
   • Stayed unbeaten on 122*, anchoring the chase with calmness.
   • Hit 9 fours and 3 sixes, including a crucial six off Wiaan Mulder to reach his 4th ODI century 79.
3. South Africa’s Batting Firepower
   • Matthew Breetzke continued his red-hot form (83 off 84), following his 150 in the previous match.
   • Heinrich Klaasen (87 off 56) and Temba Bavuma (82 off 96) set the platform for SA’s 350+ total 57.

Turning Points

1. Early Aggression by Fakhar Zaman
   • Fakhar’s 41 off 28 (6 fours, 1 six) gave Pakistan a flying start, scoring 56 runs in the first 6 overs 79.
2. The 260-Run Partnership
   • After Pakistan slumped to 91/3, Rizwan and Salman rebuilt with a mix of calculated singles and boundaries.
   • Their stand broke Pakistan’s previous 4th-wicket record (206 by Malik-Younis, 2009) 
3. Shaheen Afridi’s Fiery Spell
   • Despite expensive figures (2/66), Shaheen’s aggression, including a heated clash with Breetzke, added drama 710.

South Africa’s Bowling Struggles

• Lungi Ngidi (1/74) and Corbin Bosch (1/70) were costly, failing to contain the middle order 5.
• Spin Ineffectiveness: Keshav Maharaj (0/54) and Tabraiz Shamsi (0/53) lacked penetration on a flat pitch 

What This Means for Pakistan

• Champions Trophy Boost: This win sets the tone for Pakistan’s preparation ahead of the Champions Trophy 9.
• Batting Depth Validated: Questions about Pakistan’s middle-order vulnerability were silenced by Rizwan and Salman’s composure 3.

Conclusion

Pakistan’s chase of 353 will be remembered as a masterclass in resilience and tactical batting. While South Africa’s bowlers faltered under pressure, Rizwan and Salman’s partnership exemplified teamwork and precision. With the Tri-Series final against New Zealand on 14 February, Pakistan now carries momentum and confidence into the Champions Trophy. For South Africa, addressing bowling frailties and fielding lapses will be critical moving forward.