Pakistan set a new national record by chasing a target of 353 against South Africa at Karachi on February 12.
Few gave Pakistan a chance after South Africa amassed 352-5 in the virtual semi-final of the Tri-Nation Series, at Karachi. Never in their past had Pakistan successfully chased a target in excess of 350. Pakistan came out all guns blazing, but lost wickets in pursuit of runs to become 91-3 in the 11th over.
Match Match 3, Pakistan vs South Africa
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- Ball by ball Over
However, as captain Mohammad Rizwan (122 not out in 128 balls, nine fours, three sixes) stayed put, Salman Ali Agha (134 in 103 balls, 16 fours, two sixes) cut loose at the other end. By the time Agha fell, Pakistan needed two in seven balls, which Tayyab Tahir got off the next ball.
Rizwan and Agha added 260, a new national record for Pakistan for any wicket in a chase. This is also the seventh-biggest successful chase in men’s ODIs, and the biggest ever for Pakistan.
Highest successful chases in men’s ODIs
| Team | Opposition | Target | Score | Overs | Venue | Year |
| South Africa | Australia | 435 | 438-9 | 49.5 | Johannesburg | 2006 |
| South Africa | Australia | 372 | 372-6 | 49.2 | Durban | 2016 |
| England | West Indies | 361 | 364-4 | 48.4 | Bridgetown | 2019 |
| India | Australia | 360 | 362-1 | 43.3 | Jaipur | 2013 |
| Australia | India | 359 | 359-6 | 47.5 | Mohali | 2019 |
| England | Pakistan | 359 | 359-4 | 44.5 | Bristol | 2019 |
| Pakistan | South Africa | 353 | 355-4 | 49 | Karachi | 2025 |
| India | Australia | 351 | 351-4 | 49.4 | Nagpur | 2013 |
| India | England | 351 | 356-7 | 48.1 | Pune | 2017 |
| England | New Zealand | 350 | 350-3 | 44 | Nottingham | 2015 |
- The highest second-innings total in a defeat is Sri Lanka’s 411-8 against India at Rajkot in 2009. They were chasing 415.
- The highest second-innings total to tie a men’s ODI is 374-9 by the Netherlands, against the West Indies at the 2023 World Cup Qualifier. The Netherlands famously won the game in a Super Over.
- In women’s ODIs, the highest successful chase is Sri Lanka’s 305-4 against South Africa at Potchefstroom in 2024. They were chasing 302.
Highest successful chases for Pakistan in men’s ODIs
| Opposition | Target | Score | Overs | Venue | Year |
| South Africa | 353 | 355-4 | 49 | Karachi | 2025 |
| Australia | 349 | 349-4 | 49 | Lahore | 2022 |
| Sri Lanka | 345 | 345-4 | 48.2 | Hyderabad | 2023 |
| New Zealand | 337 | 337-3 | 48.2 | Rawalpindi | 2023 |
| Bangladesh | 327 | 329-7 | 49.5 | Mirpur | 2014 |
- Only once had Pakistan made a bigger score while batting second – 361-7 against England at Southampton in 2019. They lost by 12 runs.
- Pakistan Women made 245-3 while chasing 243 against the West Indies at Sharjah in 2015, which remains their national record in the format. Their two higher scores while batting second – 265-9 against South Africa at Benoni in 2019, 251-9 against New Zealand at Christchurch in 2023 – both resulted in ties.
