On February 12, 2025, Pakistan faced off against South Africa at the National Stadium in Karachi, marking a significant clash in the ODI tri-series. The victor would secure their spot against New Zealand in the finals, intensifying the competition.
Winning the toss, South African captain Temba Bavuma opted to bat first, aiming to set a strong target against the host nation. This decision came after both teams had previously suffered losses to New Zealand, highlighting the importance of this match. With players like Matthew Breetzke and Tony de Zorzi at the crease, South Africa hoped to capitalize on their batting depth.
Despite their ambitions, Pakistan's Shaheen Afridi struck early, providing his team with the much-needed breakthrough. He dismissed opener Tony de Zorzi for 22 runs off 18 balls, catching the edge with a stunning delivery. The ball flew toward second slip, where Salman Agha made an incredible catch, ending the opening partnership of 51 runs. "Shaheen Afridi gets rid of Tony de Zorzi," reported the source.
At this point, South Africa had posted 64 runs for one wicket, with captain Temba Bavuma and Matthew Breetzke at the crease. Afridi's wicket of de Zorzi was pivotal; it shifted the momentum back toward Pakistan as they sought to contain South Africa's scoring.
After the fallout of de Zorzi's wicket, Bavuma worked diligently to anchor the innings. His experience was apparent, as he methodically approached his innings, slowly building upon the runs. The later stages of the South African innings saw partnerships develop as both Bavuma and Breetzke showcased their skills on the batting front.
By the time South Africa's innings hit the 28.5 overs mark, they had scored 170 runs with just two wickets lost, firmly establishing themselves as contenders for the match. Bavuma’s authoritative knock stood at 82 runs from 96 deliveries, supported by Breetzke, who was on 59 runs off 59 balls. Together, they successfully rebuilt after the initial loss, focusing on building partnerships and rotating the strike effectively.
Pakistan’s bowling unit had their moments but struggled with consistency, facing solid resistance from the South African batters. Afridi’s work at the top was commendable, but the pressure remained high as South Africa surged forward, capitalizing on the lack of early breakthroughs. Afridi's efforts, performing with figures of 1 wicket for 30 runs, showed his capacity to provide pivotal moments for his team.
With the match progressing, the challenge for Pakistan intensified. The pressure of playing at home weighed heavily on them, especially after their earlier losses to New Zealand. Pakistan needed to respond quickly with their batting order, aiming to chase down South Africa's total and advance to the final.
Riding high on their opening partnership, South Africa maintained momentum, adding runs steadily. The change of bowling brought some hope for Pakistan, but they needed more than just one wicket to shift the game to their favor. The momentum gained through the early wicket of de Zorzi did little to deter the established partnerships from putting runs on the board.
With the match entering its decisive phases, Pakistan's players were well aware of the consequences associated with another defeat. The stakes had risen not just for the game but also for maintaining their position as serious contenders for the upcoming ICC Champions Trophy, set to take place on home soil.
For both teams, this match presented more than just points; it was about pride, strategy, and bolstering their preparations for the Champions Trophy. South Africa, not fielding their full-strength side due to prior commitments, saw this match as pivotal for gaining confidence and restoring momentum.
Finally, as the day unfolded, it became clear who could withstand the pressure of this high-stakes match. Pakistan, with home-ground advantage and the burden of expectations, needed to prove their mettle to avoid fallout from the expectations placed upon them as hosts of the Champions Trophy.