Pakistan Sets New Record in Tri-Nation Series Against South Africa

Pakistan has set a new record in One-Day International (ODI) cricket, achieving the highest target ever by the national team and establishing the largest partnership for the fourth wicket in the process.

In the third match of the Tri-Nation Series against South Africa on Wednesday, South Africa set a challenging target of 353 runs for Pakistan in 50 overs. Pakistan achieved this target in 49 overs with the loss of 4 wickets, marking the highest target ever achieved by the team in ODI history.

Previously, Pakistan’s highest successful chase in ODIs was on March 31, 2022, when they successfully chased down 349 runs set by Australia at Lahore’s Gaddafi Stadium. Pakistan had also successfully chased a target of 345 runs against Sri Lanka on October 10, 2023, in Hyderabad, India, a landmark achievement as the first major target chased by Pakistan overseas.

In addition to setting this record, Pakistan’s captain Mohammad Rizwan and vice-captain Salman Ali Agha set a new record for the highest fourth-wicket partnership for Pakistan. The duo put on an incredible 260-run stand off just 229 balls. Mohammad Rizwan played an unbeaten knock of 122 runs off 128 balls, while Salman Ali Agha scored 134 runs off 103 balls.

Before this, the previous record for the highest fourth-wicket partnership was held by former Pakistan captain Shoaib Malik and Mohammad Yousuf, who shared a 206-run partnership against India on September 26, 2009, at Centurion. Shoaib Malik scored 128 runs off 126 balls, including 16 boundaries, while Mohammad Yousuf contributed 87 runs from 88 balls, with 7 fours.

This remarkable feat underlines Pakistan’s strong performance in the ongoing Tri-Nation Series, as they continue to break new records in the world of ODI cricket.