KARACHI, Pakistan — South Africa won the toss and elected to bat against Pakistan on Wednesday in a must-win tri-nation series game for both teams at the upgraded National Bank Stadium. With stakes high, both teams aimed to secure their place for the upcoming Champions Trophy.
South Africa, bolstered by the arrivals of opening batter Toni de Zorzi, wicketkeeper-batter Heinrich Klaasen, left-arm spinner Keshav Maharaj, and fast bowler Corbin Bosch, sought redemption after their recent six-wicket loss to New Zealand. Notably, the Proteas also fielded Matthew Breetzke, who made history as the first player to score 150 on his ODI debut.
Facing pressure to perform, South Africa started strong but lost Tony de Zorzi early, leading to captain Temba Bavuma and Breetzke stabilizing the innings with their brilliant partnerships. By the end of the 43rd over, South Africa's score read 265 for four, setting the stage for a formidable total.
Pakistan adjusted their lineup following their defeat to New Zealand last weekend, bringing Mohammad Hasnain on board to replace injured fast bowler Haris Rauf. The change stirred hopes as Saud Shakeel returned to the ODI squad after his previous outing during the 2023 World Cup.
Star bowler Shaheen Afridi played yet another pivotal role for Pakistan, claiming two key wickets. He dismissed Tony de Zorzi with spectacular precision, catching the outside edge and watching Salman at second slip extend to grab the catch.
Afridi's most important breakthrough came during the 40th over when he sent Wiaan Mulder back to the pavilion. Despite batting resiliently alongside Heinrich Klaasen, Mulder found himself cornered by Afridi’s skillful bowling. The right-handed batter attempted to execute a powerful cut shot, but with Saud Shakeel stationed at backward point, Mulder's dismissal was inevitable as Shakeel took a stunning catch.
After his brilliant performance with the ball, Afridi shared joyous moments with wicketkeeper Mohammad Rizwan, celebrating the dismissal with camaraderie.
South Africa's innings showcased strong performances from their middle order, particularly from Bavuma and Breetzke, the latter's aggressive batting leading to significant contributions. Their resilience helped push the total toward 350 runs, rounding off the innings strongly with Kyle Verreynne also finding boundaries to give South Africa's total some extra padding.
Meanwhile, Pakistan's bowlers showcased their determination to reclaim control. Afridi’s spell kept the batting side on their toes, maintaining pressure even as the required run rate escalated. His two wickets were complemented by contributions from Hasnain and Naseem Shah, who fought hard to curb the flow of runs, setting up an exciting pursuit.
Now faced with a challenging but achievable target, Pakistan’s batting lineup needed to muster high-quality performances. Key players like Babar Azam and Fakhar Zaman were expected to lay the foundation for the chase as they looked to secure victory and advance their chances within the tournament.
Fans gathered at the National Bank Stadium saw intense competition, underscoring the spirit of international cricket. The night culminated with expectations mounting for Pakistan’s response as they headed to bat, with every delivery promising high drama for both sides.