The thrilling One Day International (ODI) game between Pakistan and South Africa at the Pakistan Tri-Nation Series today, on February 12, 2025, is held at the National Stadium, Karachi. This day-night encounter had been historic, as Pakistan chased their highest-ever target in ODI history. The match saw outstanding batting displays from both sides, especially a record-breaking stand put up by Salman Agha and Mohammad Rizwan which helped Pakistan beat them by six wickets with six balls to spare. That match was an important moment in cricket history, where Pakistan showed that it could conserve big totals under great pressure. In fact, let’s take a detailed look at the South Africa national cricket team vs Pakistan national cricket team players, match summary, key performances, statistics, and records.
Match Overview – Pakistan vs South Africa, 3rd Match, Tri-Nation Series 2025
| Match Details | Information |
| Match | Pakistan vs South Africa (3rd Match) |
| Tournament | Pakistan Tri-Nation Series 2025 |
| Date | February 12, 2025 |
| Venue | National Stadium, Karachi |
| Toss | South Africa won and elected to bat |
| South Africa Innings | 352/5 in 50 overs |
| Pakistan Innings | 355/4 in 49 overs |
| Result | Pakistan won by 6 wickets |
| Player of the Match | Salman Agha (134 runs off 103 balls) |
| Series Context | Pakistan Tri-Nation Series featuring Pakistan, South Africa, and New Zealand |
| Next Match | Pakistan vs New Zealand (Final) on February 14, 2025 |
Match Summary
| Team | Score | Overs | Result |
| South Africa | 352/5 | 50.0 | Lost |
| Pakistan | 355/4 | 49.0 | Won by 6 wickets |
The 3rd match of the Pakistan Tri-Nation Series was played on February 12, 2025, between Pakistan and South Africa at the National Stadium, Karachi. Temba Bavuma (82) and Heinrich Klaasen (87, 5) contributed in a vital 83 for South Africa (352/5) after they elected to bat first. In retaliation, Pakistan completed the highest successful ODI chase of 355 for 4 in 49 overs. 410 runs were made by Mohammad Rizwan (122*) and Salman Agha (134) with a record six-wicket win. Pakistan still remains in contention in the series decider against New Zealand, on February 14, 2025.
South Africa’s Innings: A Strong Total
First batting, South Africa posted an outstanding 352/5 in their 50 overs. The top order played strong performances, and three players scored more than 80 runs in their innings.
South Africa’s Batting Performance
| Batsman | Runs | Balls | Fours | Sixes | Strike Rate |
| Temba Bavuma (c) | 82 | 96 | 8 | 1 | 85.4 |
| Matthew Breetzke | 83 | 84 | 7 | 2 | 98.8 |
| Heinrich Klaasen | 87 | 56 | 9 | 3 | 155.4 |
| Kyle Verreynne | 44* | 32 | 4 | 1 | 137.5 |
| Corbin Bosch | 15* | 9 | 2 | 0 | 166.6 |
Pakistan’s Bowling Performance
| Bowler | Overs | Runs | Wickets | Economy Rate |
| Shaheen Afridi | 10 | 74 | 2 | 7.4 |
| Naseem Shah | 10 | 60 | 1 | 6.0 |
| Khushdil Shah | 10 | 55 | 1 | 5.5 |
| Abrar Ahmed | 10 | 80 | 0 | 8.0 |
| Mohammad Hasnain | 10 | 72 | 0 | 7.2 |
Pakistan bowlers had a poor day against South Africa with only Shaheen Afridi, Naseem Shah, and Khushdil Shah taking wickets. Hasnain and Abrar Ahmed had an expensive outing as Hasnain and Abrar Ahmed conceded runs at an economy rate higher than 7.00 runs per over.
Pakistan’s Historic Chase
Early on, Pakistan got chasing 353 off to a shaky start with early wickets. The match almost going at 91/3. But that turned the game in favour of Pakistan when a record-breaking 260-run partnership was built between Salman Agha and Mohammad Rizwan.
Pakistan’s Batting Performance
| Batsman | Runs | Balls | Fours | Sixes | Strike Rate |
| Fakhar Zaman | 41 | 30 | 5 | 2 | 136.7 |
| Babar Azam (c) | 57 | 45 | 6 | 1 | 126.6 |
| Salman Agha | 134 | 103 | 13 | 4 | 130.0 |
| Mohammad Rizwan (wk) | 122* | 128 | 10 | 2 | 95.3 |
| Saud Shakeel | 3* | 4 | 0 | 0 | 75.0 |
South Africa’s Bowling Performance
| Bowler | Overs | Runs | Wickets | Economy Rate |
| Wiaan Mulder | 10 | 79 | 2 | 7.9 |
| Lungi Ngidi | 9 | 74 | 1 | 8.2 |
| Corbin Bosch | 8 | 70 | 1 | 8.8 |
| Tabraiz Shamsi | 10 | 60 | 0 | 6.0 |
| Keshav Maharaj | 10 | 62 | 0 | 6.2 |
Team Lineups – Pakistan vs South Africa (3rd Match, Tri-Nation Series 2025)
Pakistan Playing XI
| Player | Role |
| Fakhar Zaman | Opening Batsman |
| Babar Azam (c) | Batsman |
| Saud Shakeel | Batsman |
| Salman Agha | All-rounder |
| Mohammad Rizwan (wk) | Wicketkeeper-Batsman |
| Khushdil Shah | All-rounder |
| Shaheen Afridi | Fast Bowler |
| Mohammad Hasnain | Fast Bowler |
| Naseem Shah | Fast Bowler |
| Abrar Ahmed | Spinner |
South Africa Playing XI
| Player | Role |
| Temba Bavuma (c) | Batsman |
| Tony de Zorzi | Batsman |
| Matthew Breetzke | Batsman |
| Heinrich Klaasen (wk) | Wicketkeeper-Batsman |
| Wiaan Mulder | All-rounder |
| Kyle Verreynne | Batsman |
| Corbin Bosch | All-rounder |
| Lungi Ngidi | Fast Bowler |
| Tabraiz Shamsi | Spinner |
| Keshav Maharaj | Spinner |
| Senuran Muthusamy | All-rounder |
Match key Highlights
South Africa’s Dominance:
- Strong top-order performance with three batsmen scoring 80+ runs.
- Klaasen’s explosive 87 off 56 gave momentum.
- Karachi was the top total in 27 years when South Africa reached 352 for 5.
Pakistan’s Fightback:
- They put themselves under pressure early on at 91/3.
- Rizwan and Salman Agha (134) put together a 260-run stand.
- Previously, 349 was the target Pakistan chased against Australia in 2022 to break this record.
Records & Statistics
| Record | Details |
| Highest successful ODI chase by Pakistan | 355/4 vs South Africa (2025) |
| Previous best chase | 349 vs Australia (2022) |
| Highest partnership in Pakistan’s ODI history | 260 (Salman Agha & Rizwan) |
| Fastest century in Karachi ODIs | Salman Agha (off 85 balls) |
Series Context & Next Matches
Pakistan, South Africa, and New Zealand were all part of the Pakistan Tri-Nation Series 2025. Before this match:
- The series was won by New Zealand against Pakistan and South Africa.
- Pakistan’s win raised their chances of making it to the final.
- On February 14, 2025, in Karachi, the Pakistan vs New Zealand Final was supposed to be the next match.
Conclusion
The third match of the Pakistan Tri-Nation Series 2025 acted as a perfect example of Pakistan’s ability to chase the big totals under pressure. The story of their six-wicket victory over South Africa was probably one of the most thrilling ODIs of recent times. The showmen for Pakistan were Mohammad Rizwan and Salman Agha who ensured Pakistan won the historical title with their highest successful run chase.
This was more an indication of Pakistan’s belief that they’ll lift the Champions Trophy 2025 and their batting depth as well as their ability to tackle the pressure situations. As the Pakistan squad prepares for the final against New Zealand, the squad would be looking to carry the same momentum and clinch the Tri-Nation Series title.
FAQs
Q1) What is Pakistan’s highest-ever successful ODI run chase before this match?
This was Pakistan’s previous highest successful run chase of 349 against Australia in 2022.
Q2) What was Player of the Match for Pakistan vs South Africa ODI (2025)?
For his 134 off 103 balls and two catches, this was awarded to Salman Agha who claimed the Player of the Match award.
Q3) What was the largest partnership in the game?
Mohammad Rizwan and Salman Agha then turned out with a 260-run partnership that is the highest in Pakistan’s ODI history.
Q4) Who was the South African batsman who scored the most runs in the game?
With 9 fours and 3 sixes, Heinrich Klaasen managed to score 87 off 56 balls.
Q5) What bowling performance did Pakistan have in the match?
Shaheen Afridi took 2 for 74 in 10 overs.
