KARACHI: South Africa beat Pakistan Shaheens by three wickets in the third warm-up match of the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 courtesy of an all-round batting performance.
The Proteas chased the mammoth 323 runs, losing seven wickets with six balls to spare.
The warm-up match marked the return of South African premier players, who were unavailable for the recently concluded tr-nation series.
Ryan Rickelton (57), Tony de Zorzi (55), Rassie van der Dussen (62), and Aiden Markram hit form with brisk half-centuries before Wiaan Mulder provided the final touches with his quick-fire cameo of 42 from 30 deliveries, laced with three fours and three sixes.
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Niaz Khan and Mehran Mumtaz were stand-out bowlers for Shaheens, bagging two wickets each.
Earlier, the Shaheen posted 322-8 in their allocated 50 overs with the help of Muhammad Hurraira’s majestic century.
Huraira (110) and Imam-ul-Haq (98) posted a 163-run stand for the second wicket.
Huraira, whose innings included 12 fours and one six, was bowled by Marco Jansen, while van der Dussen ran out Imam on the cusp of a century.
Middle-order batter Maaz Sadaqat (28)Â and Saad Khan (30) formed a crucial 48-run partnership for the fifth wicket, which helped Shaheens reach a big total.
Wiaan Mulder was the pick of the bowlers, taking 3 for 27 in his five overs. South Africa front-line bowler Kagiso Rabada went wicket-less in his eight overs, while Jansen chipped in with two wickets.
For the unversed, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has named the three Shaheens squads that will feature in the Champions Trophy 2025 warm-up matches in the build-up to the main event, which will take place from 19 February to 9 March.
Schedule of ICC Champions Trophy warm-up matches featuring Pakistan Shaheens:
14 February – vs Afghanistan, Gaddafi Stadium (1400-2130)
17 February – vs South Africa, National Stadium Karachi (1400-2130)
17 February – vs Bangladesh, ICC Cricket Academy (1400-2130)
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