Rizwan, Salman break multiple records in crisp run-chase

It was an historic and record-shattering night at the National Bank Stadium in Karachi, where Pakistan thrashed South Africa to book their place in the tri-nation series final.

For starters, Pakistan chased their personnel best score in ODI history. They chased down 353-run target with six wickets to spare in 49 overs.

Their previous best of 349 which came against Australia in 2022.

Moreover, in the high-stake match, captain Mohammad Rizwan and vice-captain Salman Ali Agha showed character after losing three wickets for just 91 runs on the scoreboard.

The duo scored brisk centuries, marking the first such instance of two middle-order batters scoring hundreds in a men’s ODI for Pakistan.

Overall, it was the 27th instance when two Pakistani batters scored a century in a men’s ODI.

Doing so, the duo also shared a 260-run partnership – the highest for any wicket in an ODI run chase for Pakistan.

The previous record was off a 228 runs stand between Mohammad Hafeez and Imran Farhat against Zimbabwe in 2011.

Their 260-run stand was also the highest fourth-wicket partnership for Pakistan in ODI history. The previous best was by Shoaib Malik and Mohammad Yousuf, who put together 206 runs against India in 2009.

Apart from that, it was the third third-highest partnership for any position of Pakistan in the format.

Fakhar Zaman and Imam ul Haq’s 304-run stand and the 263-run partnership Inzamam-ul-Haq and Aamer Sohail was the top two respectively in the format.