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Pakistan complete record ODI chase but Rizwan demands improvements

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Feb 12, 2025Cricket

Pakistan completed their highest successful chase in ODI history but Mohammad Rizwan still demanded improvements after Wednesday's thriller against South Africa.

Captain Rizwan produced a remarkable unbeaten century, ending on 122 as Pakistan chased 355 with an over to spare in Karachi.

His heroics were matched by Salman Agha, who belted 134 off just 103 deliveries for his first ton in ODI cricket, as the pair combined for 260 in a fourth-wicket partnership.

That is the highest partnership between two players against South Africa overall in the format, Pakistan's highest fourth-wicket stand, and the fourth-highest of any pair while chasing in 50-over internationals.

However, Rizwan wants more from his side after they allowed South Africa to post 352-5 from their first innings.

"We gave our full effort. We were looking to restrict them to 320 but [Heinrich] Klaasen took them to 350," the Pakistan captain said after the game.

"When we were going back after the first innings, Khushdil [Shah] said we had chased 350 before. Someone said we had chased 340 against some other team.

"When Agha and I were batting, we set targets for five overs. We failed to achieve that a couple of times but mostly did.

"Our fielding still needs some improvement. Hopefully, we will be able to do it because that's how champion teams play."

Touring captain Temba Bavuma got his team off to a flying start with 82 before Matthew Breetzke added 83, along with an 87 from wicket-keeper Klaasen.

Kyle Verreynne then smashed an unbeaten 44 to help South Africa to an imposing total, though Pakistan's fourth-wicket heroes made sure that the Proteas conceded their highest-ever run chase in the format.

Fakhar Zaman (41) and Babar Azam (23) started the chase well, too, leaving Bavuma frustrated.

"You back yourself after getting to 350. We got a couple of wickets that slowed them down but we weren't able to get on a momentum," Bavuma added. 

"It was a good wicket. There was a little bit of swing but nothing otherwise. It was tough work for bowlers, wickets are important.

"Bowling both sides of the wicket, the batters are going to put you away. In the middle, either you squeeze or take wickets to handicap them in the death."

On his own form, Bavuma added: "I am hitting the ball well. My last proper knock was against Pakistan in the Test series. So good to remove some cobwebs."