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Highest ODI Partnerships For Pakistan Vs South Africa

Arnav Chopra

Babar Azam-Imam ul Haq and Mohd Rizwan-Salman Agha (Source: @ICC/X.com, @TheRealPCB/X.com)Babar Azam-Imam ul Haq and Mohd Rizwan-Salman Agha (Source: @ICC/X.com, @TheRealPCB/X.com)

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South Africa and Pakistan are competitive opponents who leave no stone unturned when it comes to playing against each other. These sides have a great history of playing high-profile matches where many records get broken.

In the recently concluded third ODI of the ongoing tri-series between these two sides happening in Pakistan, the hosts chased down a record total of 353 in 49 overs to beat South Africa and qualify for the finals of the tournament as they will next face New Zealand.

The game was more in favour of South Africa, and that's when skipper Mohammed Rizwan and Salman Agha joined their forces to squeeze the win out of South Africa's hands. This partnership proved to be extremely valuable as Pakistan went on to finish the game with six deliveries to spare.

Therefore, considering this, partnerships are incredibly crucial if any side has to chase massive targets or put up a defendable score on the board. Hence, let's look at the top five partnerships by Pakistan against South Africa in ODI cricket.

5) 153 – Imran Farhat & Misbah-ul-Haq (4th Wicket) in Durban, 2013

On the fifth position in this list features Imran Farhat and Misbah-ul-Haq's famous 153-run stand against South Africa in Durban during the year 2013 when they helped Pakistan chase down 235 successfully with three wickets to spare. The Men in Green were reeling at 33 for 3 when skipper Misbah-ul-Haq arrived at the crease and forged an outstanding partnership with opener Imran for 153 runs.

The opener scored 93, while Misbah was dismissed for 80 as this partnership took Pakistan's score from 33/3 to 286/4 by the beginning of the 42nd over. Ultimately, they finished the game with three wickets, with only eight deliveries left. Imran fell short of his century but did a crucial job taking his side closer to victory.

4) 165 – Asif Mujtaba & Javed Miandad (4th Wicket) in East London, 1993

Pakistan's Asif Mujtaba and Javed Miandad combined for a brilliant 165-run partnership against the Proteas in the year 1993 to help their side put up 240 on the board after the conclusion of their 50 overs. The visiting Pakistan side were in trouble, losing their third wicket for 29 runs. That's when Asif Mujtaba joined to support the great Javed Miandad, who fought tooth and nail for their side.

The duo staged an outstanding 165-run partnership for the fourth wicket, taking the score to 194 when Mujtaba departed for 74. Whereas, Miandad went on to bat and later got run out after playing a fighting 107-run knock. This score in the end proved to be enough, as South Africa could only get 162, as they were bowled out inside 31 overs in a rain-curtailed encounter, where Pakistan prevailed by nine runs after employing the DLS target.

3) 177 – Babar Azam & Imam-ul-Haq (2nd Wicket) in Centurion, 2021

At number three is the 177-run partnership between Babar Azam and Imam-ul-Haq during Pakistan's tour of South Africa back in 2021. It was the first ODI of the series that took place at Centurion, where South Africa posted 273 runs on the board, giving the visitors a steep target of 274. In reply, Pakistan lost Fakhar Zaman early on for nine runs.

But, in came skipper Babar Azam, who, alongside Imam-ul-Haq, batted until the 32nd over when Azam departed for a well-made 103. This 177-run partnership took Pakistan's score to 186 as Imam added nine more runs to the total after being dismissed for 70. Despite losing both Imam and Azam, Pakistan kept themselves in the game as contributions from Mohammad Rizwan and Shadab Khan ensured that they reached home on the final delivery with three wickets to spare in a thrilling encounter.

2) 257 – Abdul Razzaq & Saleem Elahi (2nd Wicket) in Gqeberha, 2002

Next up is the high-profile partnership between Abdul Razzaq and Saleem Elahi in the year 2002 at St. George's Park in Port Elizabeth (now Gqeberha), where the duo put up a marvellous 257-run stand for the second wicket. Pakistan were batting first as they lost Shahid Afridi on 15 when Abdul Razzaq joined Saleem Elahi as the duo batted until the 42nd over.

Saleem, with his 135, and Razzaq, with his 112, proved to be the difference in this game, as Pakistan lost their second wicket on 272. By the end of their innings, they put on a mammoth 335 on the board for the loss of six wickets. In reply, South Africa were bowled out for just 153 in 29 overs, losing the game by a gap of 182 runs.

1) 260 – Mohammad Rizwan & Agha Salman (4th Wicket) in Karachi, 2025

And finally, at the top of the list features the greatest-ever ODI partnership for Pakistan against South Africa, forged in the recently concluded game between batters Salman Agha and Mohammad Rizwan. Chasing the score of 353, Pakistan were in some trouble as they lost three wickets for just 91 runs on the board, and that's when Rizwan and Salman decided to take on the opposition bowlers, scoring 122 and 134, respectively, to take their side to victory.

On the way, they formed a majestic 260-run partnership for the fourth wicket at the National Stadium in Karachi. Salman was dismissed in the 49th over when Pakistan's score was 351, just two runs away from the target. Nevertheless, they finished the game on the very next delivery, earning the victory with six wickets and six deliveries to spare, thus qualifying for the final of the tri-series against New Zealand.