On February 12, 2025, Pakistan set a new national record by successfully chasing 353 runs against South Africa in Karachi. This chase marked the first successful pursuit of over 350 runs in ODIs for Pakistan. It featured an impressive partnership between captain Mohammad Rizwan and Salman Ali Agha, leading to a historic victory in the Tri-Nation Series.
Pakistan achieved a remarkable feat by successfully chasing down a target of 353 runs against South Africa in Karachi on February 12. This significant win marked the first time in history that Pakistan completed a chase exceeding 350 runs, previously considered unachievable. The match was part of the Tri-Nation Series, where South Africa set a formidable target by scoring 352 runs for 5 wickets in their innings.
The chase started perilously for Pakistan, who found themselves at 91 for 3 within the first 11 overs. However, captain Mohammad Rizwan played a pivotal role, scoring 122 runs off 128 balls, while Salman Ali Agha contributed an explosive 134 runs off 103 balls. Their partnership of 260 runs set a national record for any wicket in a successful chase for Pakistan, with Rizwan and Agha’s combined efforts leading the team to victory with just one ball to spare.
This achievement placed Pakistan’s chase as the seventh-largest successful chase in men’s One Day Internationals (ODIs), further illustrating their capability in high-pressure situations. The match concluded with Pakistan finishing at 355 runs for 4 wickets in 49 overs, underscoring their tactical prowess and batting depth.
Below is a list of some of the highest successful chases in men’s ODIs:
1. South Africa vs Australia – 435 runs (438-9, 49.5 overs, Johannesburg, 2006)
2. South Africa vs Australia – 372 runs (372-6, 49.2 overs, Durban, 2016)
3. England vs West Indies – 361 runs (364-4, 48.4 overs, Bridgetown, 2019)
4. India vs Australia – 360 runs (362-1, 43.3 overs, Jaipur, 2013)
5. Australia vs India – 359 runs (359-6, 47.5 overs, Mohali, 2019)
6. England vs Pakistan – 359 runs (359-4, 44.5 overs, Bristol, 2019)
7. Pakistan vs South Africa – 353 runs (355-4, 49 overs, Karachi, 2025)
8. India vs Australia – 351 runs (351-4, 49.4 overs, Nagpur, 2013)
9. India vs England – 351 runs (356-7, 48.1 overs, Pune, 2017)
10. England vs New Zealand – 350 runs (350-3, 44 overs, Nottingham, 2015)
Additionally, it is noteworthy that Sri Lanka holds the record for the highest second-innings total in a loss, scoring 411 runs against India in Rajkot (2009). Moreover, the highest tied total in men’s ODIs is 374 runs by the Netherlands, who triumphed in a Super Over against the West Indies in 2023.
For Pakistan, the highest successful chases include:
1. South Africa – 353 runs (355-4, 49 overs, Karachi, 2025)
2. Australia – 349 runs (349-4, 49 overs, Lahore, 2022)
3. Sri Lanka – 345 runs (345-4, 48.2 overs, Hyderabad, 2023)
4. New Zealand – 337 runs (337-3, 48.2 overs, Rawalpindi, 2023)
5. Bangladesh – 327 runs (329-7, 49.5 overs, Mirpur, 2014)
Notably, Pakistan’s previous highest total while chasing was 361 runs, where they fell short against England by 12 runs in 2019. In the women’s category, the highest successful chase remains 245 runs by Pakistan Women, confirming their competitiveness in ODIs on the international stage.
Pakistan’s record-breaking chase of 353 against South Africa highlights their growing capability in ODIs, successfully countering targets previously deemed unattainable. The partnership between Rizwan and Agha was pivotal, setting a national record. Furthermore, this match exemplifies the thrilling nature of ODIs, with records consistently being broken. The list of highest successful chases underscores the competitive spirit and strategic evolution of teams in international cricket.
Original Source: www.wisden.com
