Pakistan have earned their spot in the final of the Tri-Series against New Zealand after putting up a powerful batting display to defeat the Proteas by six wickets in Karachi on Wednesday.
Make no mistake, the Proteas batting order set a decent 352/5 for the home side to chase, with top scores from Heinrich Klaasen (87 off 56 balls, 11x4, 3x6), Matthew Breetzke (83 off 84, 10x4, 1x6) and captain Temba Bavuma (82 off 96, 13x4), but Pakistan’s middle-order showed their prowess.
The Proteas won the toss and chose to bat, opting not to open with Matthew Breetzke like they did against the Black Caps, and instead going with Tony de Zorzi.
Both De Zorzi and Bavuma looked comfortable early on, putting up a 50-run partnership by the eight over.
But just as the pair built momentum, Shaheen Shah Afridi made the first blow and removed De Zorzi (22).
Coming off the back of a debut ton, Breetzke looked like he picked up where he left off against New Zealand, getting into the swing of things with his captain.
By the 16th over, the two had already put up a 50-run partnership and 100 for the Proteas.
After 20 overs, the South Africans reached 122/1 and Bavuma looked well into his innings, steering from the front, but danger was right around the corner.
Bavuma tapped a delivery into the field and Breetzke called for the run, but said no, while Bavuma was mid-pitch, forcing him to turn around.
Unfortunately for him, Saud Shakeel’s spot on throw meant the SA skipper had to leave the crease disappointed on 82.
Next at the wicket was Heinrich Klaasen, who appeared to be in the same good form he finished the SA20 league with. Klaasen and Breetzke got together to push the Proteas over the middle line and into the tail of the innings.
It was not long before Khushdil Shah claimed Breetzke, who tried to sweep him over deep midwicket.
Wiaan Mulder lost his wicket for just two to Afridi, before Kyle Verreynne could arrive.
Verreynne and Klaasen decided to give the Proteas a last push, but with just two overs left, Naseem Shah got the massive breakthrough for Pakistan and removed Klaasen for 87.
Verreynne finished the Proteas innings on 44 not out (off 32 balls, 3x4, 1x6) alongside Corbin Bosch (15 not out).
The Proteas bowlers were costly during the opening powerplay, going for nearly 10 runs an over.
Mulder, Lungi Ngidi and Bosch were slapped around Karachi National Stadium by Fakhar Zaman and Babar Azam.
Azam was dismissed via a lbw by a terrific Mulder delivery. Zaman lost his wicket to Mulder as well for 41 (28 balls).
But Mohammed Rizwan and Salman Ali Agha arrived at the crease and put up a stellar 250-run partnership, holding off whatever attempt the Proteas bowlers had up their sleeves.
With one over to go, Agha lost his wicket to Ngidi for 134 (103 balls, 16x4, 2x6), while Rizwan ended on 122 not out off 128 balls (9x4, 3x6).
Pakistan go into the final against New Zealand on Friday.