South Africa’s aggressive batting display took a slight hit as Matthew Breetzke (83 off 84) was dismissed in spectacular fashion by Salman Agha, who pulled off an absolute blinder at cover. The Proteas are still well-positioned at 238/3 in 38.1 overs, with big-hitting Heinrich Klaasen still at the crease, but Pakistan will hope this moment sparks a late resurgence in the field.
Agha’s brilliance lifts Pakistan’s energy
The dismissal was purely a fielder’s wicket, with Khushdil Shah (1/19 in 4.1 overs) tossing up a flighted delivery, tempting Breetzke to go hard at it. The right-hander stepped down the track and hammered a drive toward cover, but Agha reacted in a flash, diving full stretch to his right and plucking the ball with one hand while airborne. The stunning grab left even Breetzke in disbelief as he took a moment to process what had happened before making his walk back.
Breetzke’s fine knock ends short of back-to-back centuries
Breetzke had been fluent throughout his innings, smashing 10 fours and a six, and looked well set for a second consecutive century before Agha’s brilliance brought his innings to an end. He, alongside Temba Bavuma (82 off 96), laid a strong platform for the Proteas, who are now eyeing a total well above 350 with Klaasen and the lower order still to come.
Pakistan still searching for answers with the ball
Despite this moment of magic in the field, Pakistan’s bowling remains under pressure, with Naseem Shah (0/51 in 8 overs) and Abrar Ahmed (0/49 in 8 overs) failing to contain South Africa’s run flow. Khushdil Shah’s breakthrough might have come as a surprise, but Pakistan will need more than just flashes of brilliance to pull things back in the death overs.
With 12 overs remaining, South Africa will look to capitalize and push towards the 350+ mark, while Pakistan will hope this sensational catch from Agha ignites a late fightback.
