Pakistan chase record ODI total as lacklustre Proteas bowlers exposed again

Set a daunting target of 353 on home soil, Pakistan's top-order, led by a record 260-run fourth-wicket partnership between Rizwan and Salman, highlighted South Africa's struggles with the ball.

Just two days earlier, the Proteas had suffered a similar fate against New Zealand, as they failed to defend a target of 301, allowing the Kiwis to chase it down with six wickets and eight balls to spare. This followed Matthew Breetzke's record-breaking debut performance, which ultimately went in vain.

Despite the return of key bowlers Corbin Bosch and Keshav Maharaj to the SA side, the Proteas' bowlers were unable to stop Pakistan's free-flowing batsmen, with the hosts reaching their target with six balls remaining.

Pakistan's chase began in spectacular fashion as Babar Azam and Fakhar Zaman sent Bosch and Lungi Ngidi to all parts of the National Stadium, bringing up the team's 50 in just 32 balls.

Wiaan Mulder provided the breakthrough for South Africa, trapping Babar LBW for 23 off 19 balls.

Bosch, fresh from his flight after Saturday's SA20 victory, dismissed Saud Shakeel, caught by Mulder for 15 at deep midwicket.

Mulder (2/79) struck again in the next over, as Zaman edged a diving catch to Heinrich Klaasen behind the stumps, departing for 41 off 28 balls.

For a brief moment, it seemed the chase had slowed, but Rizwan and Salman kept finding the boundaries, exposing the inadequacies of the visitors' attack on the flat Karachi pitch.

A significant concern for South Africa was the injury to Klaasen, who was struck on the finger and had to leave the field in the 32nd over. Kyle Verreynne took over wicketkeeping duties for the remainder of the match.

South Africa's bowling lacked discipline, and Rizwan and Salman capitalized, with their 260-run stand becoming Pakistan's third-highest partnership in ODIs.

Salman, in particular, impressed, scoring his maiden ODI century, and was dismissed for a brilliant 134 off 104 balls (16 fours, 2 sixes), edging Ngidi (1/74) behind as the hosts needed just two runs for victory.

Rizwan continued to lead from the front, completing his fourth ODI century despite cramping, finishing unbeaten on 122 off 128 balls (9 fours, 3 sixes) as Pakistan achieved their highest successful run chase.

Earlier, the Proteas' innings had been built around half-centuries from Klaasen, Matthew Breetzke, and Temba Bavuma, guiding the Proteas to 352-5.

Bavuma and Tony de Zorzi (22) put together an opening stand of 51 before Shaheen Shah Afridi claimed De Zorzi's wicket.

Bavuma then forged a promising 119-run partnership with Breetzke, but just as they looked set to build a game-changing stand, Bavuma was run out for 82 off 96 balls (13 fours).

Breetzke followed up his debut century with an 84-ball 83 (10 fours, 1 six), combining for 68 runs with Klaasen before Afridi (2/66) dismissed him.

Klaasen added a quick 87 off 56 balls to his tally, registering his 10th ODI half-century, before falling in the 48th over.

South Africa ended their innings with 110 runs in the final 10 overs, as Verreynne (44 not out) and Bosch (15 not out) added valuable runs, setting a competitive total of 352. However, Pakistan's dominant chase proved otherwise.

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