South Africa vs Pakistan, PAK in SA, 3 ODIs, 2024 Full score card

OUT! BOWLED! It is all over! Two in two for Muqeem to wrap up a series sweep for Pakistan. Fired in full from over the wicket, on the off stump line, Kwena Maphaka is a bit tentative to get on the front foot and late to get his bat down in time. The ball sneaks under his vertical bat and uproots the off pole. Muqeem is all smiles as he ends up with a four-wicket haul on his ODI debut. Hugs all around in the Pakistan camp as they win the third ODI by 36 runs (DLS method) to complete a clean sweep!

Kwena Maphaka is the last man in.

OUT! LBW! Massive appeal there from the keeper and the bowler. This one looks dead straight if it does not have an inside edge. The umpire's finger goes straight up. This one is bowled full and on the middle, turning away. Kagiso Rabada looks to work it away towards the leg side, but the ball misses the inside edge of the bat and thuds onto the shin. Kagiso Rabada has a chat with his partner and decides to go up. UltraEdge shows that the ball is missing the bat. Ball Tracking comes up and shows that it is hitting the bottom of the middle stump. It is three REDS. Kagiso Rabada has to walk back.

On middle, worked through mid on for a single.

Around off, Rabada has a massive heave but gets a thick inside edge through the leg side. A single taken.

Big swing and a miss! Tossed up, turning away, full and outside off, Kagiso Rabada gets down to launch it over long on but misses.

Tossed up, full and on the pads, Bosch sweeps it through square leg for one.

Sharp and quick bumper! Banged in short by Naseem, at the batter, Kagiso Rabada gets hurried in trying to get out of the way. Fends at it awkwardly and the ball drops down at his feet.

FOUR! Pitched in short, outside off. Kagiso Rabada slaps it back past the bowler as the ball races towards the long on fence for another boundary.

Full and on the off stump. Corbin Bosch flicks it towards long on for a single.

Pace on and into the wicket, over middle, Rabada pulls it through mid-wicket for a single.

SIX! Kagiso Rabada has stuck into this one! Pace-off delivery from around the wicket, on a length, angling in, on middle and leg. A clean extension of the arms as Rabada clears his front leg and deposits it over wide long on for a biggie.

On a back of a length, outside off, Corbin Bosch camps back and punches it towards cover where a misfield allows a single.

RUN OUT MISSED? Possibly. Landed outside off, Corbin Bosch looked to drive but got a thick outside edge to short third. The batters went for the single, but Rabada seemed to be lumbering for the same. The throw came in to Rizwan who, to the naked eye, seemed to take the bails off but there was no appeal as such. The replay shows why. While collecting the ball, Rizwan was in a hurry to dislodge the bails and missed the ball.

Short and outside off. Corbin Bosch looks to pull it away but misses and the ball goes to short fine leg. Kagiso Rabada denies the single this time.

Quicker and fuller, outside off, turning away. Kagiso Rabada jams it towards backward point and then contemplates a single. Corbin Bosch is off for a quick single from the other end without a call. Both the batters come through for a single in the end as the throw is wayward at the non-striker's end.

Sharp turn there. Quicker delivery outside off, Kagiso gets across, looks to push it through the off side but misses.

Very full, almost a yorker, on middle, Rabada digs it out. Muqeem appeals for LBW, thinking it is pad first, but gets no support. Replay clearly indicates ball on bat, then on pad.

Sufiyan Muqeem has been called back upon. Starts with a full ball on middle, Corbin Bosch pushes it through mid on for a single.

On a good length, outside off, Kagiso Rabada opens the face of his bat and guides it straight to point. Just 2 runs and a wicket from the over, Naseem Shah's figures read 8-0-50-2.

Full, outside off, Corbin Bosch drives it on the up wide of mid off, for a run.

A lucky escape for Bosch. Comedy of error of sorts. Bowled full and on the stumps. Kagiso Rabada taps it with soft hands and the ball goes towards mid off. He is off for a single in a flash but the non-striker is busy looking at the ball. Both the batters are stranded mid-pitch. Tayyab Tahir picks the ball up, turns around and he has more time than he thinks he has. Throws it at the striker's end but there is no one to collect that ball with Mohammad Rizwan still at his normal standing position for a pacer. Tahir fails to hit the target and Corbin Bosch finally comes through towards the striker's end.

Around off, defended to the off side.

Kagiso Rabada walks in next at number 10, replacing Bjorn Fortuin.

OUT! CAUGHT! That is an excellent catch and one more nail is hit in the African coffin. A short ball, outside off, Fortuin thinks about going over cover but cannot quite find the area he wanted. The ball is going in the direction of sweeper cover, but it seems like it will not carry. However, Abdullah Shafique comes running in from the deep, keeps his eyes on the ball and then dives forward to take a spectacular catch. The good-looking 38-run stand has been broken and Fortuin has to go for 8 (16). South Africa are 250/8 and need another 58 from 52 balls.

On a good length, outside off, Bjorn Fortuin stays inside the line of the ball, a bit away from it actually and pushes it towards the off side.

On a good length, outside off, nipping back in, CB is on the walk as he looks to work it on the leg side. Misses the ball and is hit on the pads. Hasnain goes up in an LBW appeal but that seemed more to distract the batters from taking the single. The impact was way too high.

FOUR! That is struck with some authority. Bowled full and outside off. Corbin Bosch triumphantly drives it off the front foot past the cover fielder as it races towards the sweeper cover fence. Kamran Ghulam puts in the dive at the boundary line, but in vain.

Full and on the off stump. Bjorn Fortuin squeezes this one away towards deep backward point for a single.

Around off, pushed through point by Corbin for a single.

Big shout for LBW, nothing from the umpire, nothing from the keeper. On a good length, outside off, Bosch looks to work it through the off side but there is extra bounce and the ball skids through. Catches him on the pads and Hasnain goes up in an appeal single-handedly. Rizwan asks him about the review but the bowler himself says height is the factor.

Landed outside off, Corbin Bosch flays it to the left of Kamran Ghulam at sweeper cover, takes the single, thinks about taking the throw on and completes the second.

Pace from both ends now. Mohammad Hasnain returns. 6-1-33-1 so far.

On a good length, outside off. Bjorn Fortuin dabs it towards point.

WIDE! Banged in short, down leg. Bjorn Fortuin ducks underneath it. The umpire calls it wide in the end after giving it a thought.

Full and straight again, on middle. Corbin Bosch works it away towards mid on for a quick single. Had to scamper there at the non-striker's end.

Bowled full and on the pads. Corbin Bosch flicks this one off his legs towards deep fine leg. The batters run through for a brace.

On a good length, around middle, Bosch clips it straight to short mid-wicket. He takes a step and Fortuin thinks there is a single on offer but then Corbin stops. Fortuin has to reverse his skates but he slips, while trying to turn around. Still, manages to beat the throw and make it back in time.

Full and straight, driven straight back to Naseem.

EDGED, FOUR! Not for the first time in this match. On a good length, around off, nipping back in, Corbin Bosch looks to defend but the ball straightens a touch, squares Bosch up, takes the outside edge and goes through the vacant slip cordon. All the way to the deep third fence.

Change of ends for Muqeem or change of bowler? The latter. Pace is back on. Naseem Shah returns. 6-0-40-1 so far.

SIX! Deposited right into the stands. This one is bowled full and outside off, turning into the batter. Bjorn Fortuin goes on one knee and slog sweeps it over the man at the cow corner fence for a six.

Fuller again, on the leg stump, turning away. Bjorn Fortuin works it towards short fine leg.

Floated up on middle, turning away. Bjorn Fortuin leans on and flicks it towards mid-wicket.

On middle and leg, helped through square leg for a single.

Thrown up, outside off, Bosch reaches out and drives, but finds cover.

Full around off, watchfully punched back to the bowler.

Dear me. A maiden in the 35th over? But perhaps smart thinking. South Africa know that spin is not their forte, so they want to see the spinners off, confident that if they bat properly, they can score against the pacers. Can they, though? Rizwan won't let them breathe. More spin. Salman Agha introduced.

Superb stuff! A maiden from Saim. Ends with figures of 10-1-34-1. This was the googly from Saim, short and on off, Bjorn Fortuin was a bit late in picking it but he managed to adjust well to keep it out.

Very full, sliding in, at the toes, Bjorn Fortuin digs it it out back to the bowler.

Offers flight, full and on off, Bjorn Fortuin presses forward and taps it to the left of the bowler but Saim is quick to move to that side and keeps it to a dot.

The carrom ball, outside off, Bjorn Fortuin looks to drive but the ball spins away, takes the outside edge and goes towards short third.

Full again, driven towards cover again.

Outside off, pushed towards cover.

An update on Wiaan Mulder. After getting hit on his right thumb during the first innings of the first Test against Sri Lanka, the word is that he is looking much better and could be primed to feature in the Boxing Day Test. But Shaun Pollock on air just wants to hold his horses and advices to wait for the D-day.

Floated up, full and on middle, Bosch pushes it down the deck where Muqeem throws a dive to his right to stop the single.

FOUR! Muqeem overcorrects and gets punished! Dropped way too short and it is the googly, around off, Corbin Bosch gets on the back foot quickly and powers it to the left of the cover fielder for four more runs. 12 runs off the 5 balls so far, all in boundaries.

FOUR! Nicely swept! Turning into the batter, fuller in length, Corbin Bosch reaches out in front as he goes for the sweep. Hits it aerially but well away from the man at deep square leg to his right for a boundary.

Outside off, steered towards short third.

On middle, punched back to the bowler.

FOUR! Nicely done. The googly alright, but short in length. Wide outside off, Corbin Bosch punches it through point for a boundary. 89 more needed from 83 balls.

Tossed up, full and on off, driven past cover for a single by Bosch.

Flatter and shorter, on off, Corbin Bosch hops back and pats it to cover.

This is the carrom ball, on off, on a length, Bjorn Fortuin looks to push it down the ground but he is a bit early into his shot. It goes uppishly but well away from Ayub to his left. They cross.

On off, watchfully kept out.

The carrom ball, outside off, pushed towards short third.

A touch short, around middle, Corbin Bosch punches it down to long on for a single.

Bjorn Fortuin walks in next at number 9, replacing Marco Jansen.

OUT! TAKEN! Marco Jansen falls now and South Africa have been dealt another dent in this chase. Floated up by Muqeem from over the wicket, full and at the stumps, Marco Jansen skips down the track to launch it down the ground but ends up getting too close to the ball. As a result, he fails to get the elevation on the shot and hits it flat towards mid off. Saim Ayub moves across to his left quickly and holds onto a sharp catch at chest height. Jansen goes for 26 (22). South Africa are 212/7 and need another 96 from 90 balls.

Quicker and shorter, on middle, Bosch nudges it past backward square leg for one.

A stifled appeal for LBW! But from this over-the-wicket angle, it is tough to get batters out LBW. Fuller and quicker, on the pads, Marco fails to get any bat on the sweep. The ball rolls off his pads behind square on the leg side. The batters take a single and a leg bye has been signalled.

Full and flat, around off, Marco Jansen defends.

Down the leg side, Bosch works it through square leg for a single.

Outside off, the googly, Corbin Bosch looks to drive but misses.

What a contrasting couple of overs. This is what limited overs cricket is all about. But hitting is all fine. Realistically, it is South Africa need 99, Pakistan need 4.

SIX! One brings two for Jansen and this is even bigger! Shaheen tries to go into the wicket but fails to get it anywhere close to a troubling height. Sits up nicely for Jansen who gets his front leg out of the way quickly and whacks it over the deep backward square leg fence for a biggie. A good end to the over for the hosts. 14 runs off it. South Africa need 99 runs in 96 balls.

SIX! Clean as a whistle! Angling away, on a length, outside off, Marco Jansen clears his front leg and clobbers it over wide long on using his long levers. The 200 comes up for South Africa. They need 105 runs in 97 balls.

At 137 kph, short and wide on off, Corbin Bosch presses back and slaps it along the carpet to deep cover for a single.

Outside off, driven towards cover now.

Around off, Corbin Bosch goes hard at it but mistimes it towards mid off.

On a good length, around off, angling away, Marco Jansen punches it towards cover-point. There is a fumble and it results in a single.

Final nail then? Klaasen falls and the next 8 balls result in just a run. 113 from 102 looks doable but with 4 wickets in hand? Unlikely.

Quicker and flatter on the stumps. Corbin Bosch rocks back and slaps it towards cover.

Full and on middle, turns in. Corbin Bosch tucks it towards mid-wicket for no run.

Massive appeal there from Mohammad Rizwan from behind the stumps but nothing doing. This one is floated up on middle. Corbin Bosch goes on one knee and looks to sweep it, instead wears it on the pads. The reason for the decision not favouring the bowling side might be a bit of height.

A loud appeal for LBW but that looked to have pitched outside leg. No review taken. Another googly by Sufiyan, on a nagging length, landing outside the leg stump line, Corbin fails to pick it from the hand. Tries to work it away on the leg side with a closed bat face but gets beaten on the outside edge as the ball spins away and hits him on the back leg.

Dishes out the googly, short and outside off, Corbin Bosch gets on the back foot and punches it along the carpet to mid off.

Tossed up, very full, on off, Corbin Bosch jams it out in front of point.

Outside off, punched through the covers for a run.

On a good length, around off, Corbin Bosch plays it nicely towards cover.

Debutant Corbin Bosch walks in next at number 8, replacing Heinrich Klaasen.

OUT! CAUGHT IN THE DEEP. And Shaheen Afridi gets the last laugh. Coming from around the wicket, fired in full and on middle. This is bread and butter for someone like Klassen but he falls to his own strength this time.  He lines himself up for another flick of his pads and deposits it straight into the hands of Tayyab Tahir, stationed at the deep mid-wicket fence and he does not make a mistake in completing that catch. Pakistan have punched a massive hole in this South African line up! Heinrich Klaasen departs for yet another spectacular knock - 81 (43) and South Africa are 194/6, needing another 114 from 110 balls.

SIX! Picked up with ease! A cross-seam delivery, on off, on a length, Heinrich Klaasen walks across his stumps and brings his bottom hand into play. Whips it over the deep backward square leg fence for a biggie.

Changes his angle of attack as he comes from around the wicket and angles it in, at the stumps, on a good length, Heinrich Klaasen punches it back to Shaheen.

FOUR! Hit with real authority! This is on a back of a length from over the wicket, on off, Heinrich Klaasen camps on the back foot and nails the pull to the left of deep square leg. It almost went the distance. It goes one bounce for a boundary.

Change? Nope. Afridi continues.

Fuller, around middle and leg, Heinrich wrists it through mid on for a run to keep the strike.

Around middle and off, Klaasen pats it down the track.

FOUR! Muscled away. Floated up full and on the off stump. Heinrich Klaasen converts it into a full toss and drives it hard, back past the non-striker and the ball races towards the long off fence for another boundary.

Looped up, at the stumps, Marco Jansen takes it on the full and sweeps it towards deep backward square leg for a run.

Very full, on middle and leg, at 92 kph, Marco Jansen lunges to flick it away but plays all around it and gets rapped on the front pad.

Tossed up but the line is on the pads, on a length, Jansen misses the tickle. The ball rolls off the pads towards short fine leg.

FOUR! CLOUT! Hattrick of fours! Short and wide outside off, Heinrich Klaasen stays camped on the back foot and punches it through cover and point! 16 from the over, all in boundaries!

FOUR! Two in two! A short ball, down the leg side, Klaasen goes for the pull but with his eyes closed. Fortune favours the brave though and the ball flies off the top edge, over the keeper, to the fine leg fence! 50-RUN STAND UP IN 36 BALLS and Jansen has scored only 12 of them. Klaasen moves to 62 (35).

FOUR! Crunched away! Bowled full and on the middle stump. Heinrich Klaasen in all his glory, presents a full face of the bat and drives it back straight past the bowler. The ball races towards the long off fence in an instant.

Into the wicket by Shaheen, on middle and leg, Heinrich Klaasen goes for the pull but the ball comes off the toe end of the bat and rolls in front of mid-wicket.

FOUR! Cracked away! A bit too wide on off, on a back of a length, Heinrich Klaasen stands tall and muscles this one down onto the ground. Beats cover to his left and also manages to get it away from the fielder in the deep to his right for a boundary.

Swing and a miss! Angling across, on a back of a length, over off, Heinrich Klaasen stays put and has a swipe across the line. Gets beaten on the inside edge. Rizwan goes up in appeal as soon as he gathers it but gets no support from the bowler.

FOUR! That was absolutely out of the top draw! Bowled back of a length, outside off, nips in. Marco Jansen pulls out the short arm jab this time, towards the deep mid-wicket fence. Tayyab Tahir runs in from behind square and manages to pull it back in his first attempt but then runs outside the boundary cushions. That does not give him another chance to make another attempt and the ball finally goes on to hit the boundary cushions.

Fuller and outside off stump, moves away slightly. Marco Jansen defends it towards cover.

On a good length, on the off peg. Doesn't do much off the seam. Marco Jansen gets his head over the ball and defends it firmly back towards the bowler.

Sliding onto the pads, on a good length, Heinrich Klaasen fails to get any bat on it as he tries to help it away. It rolls off the thigh pad down to deep fine leg. Single taken, leg bye signalled.

FOUR! Just a punch and it races away! That will be FIFTY FOR KLAASEN off just 29 balls. Third consecutive fifty in the series. Will this one come in a winning cause? Coming to the delivery, this was on a back of a length, on middle, Heinrich Klaasen hung back and just presented the full face of the bat. Timed it back down the deck, beating Naseem to his right.

A bit too straight, at the hips, on a back of a length, Marco Jansen glances it down to deep fine leg for a single.

And again. Almost similar to the previous delivery. Fuller and outside off, turning away. Heinrich Klaasen presents a full face of the bat and punches it back towards the bowler.

Fuller again and outside off. Heinrich Klaasen drives it off the full face of the bat, back towards the bowler.

Full and outside off, turning away. Heinrich Klaasen leans on and drives it towards cover-point.

On middle, a touch short, this time Jansen stays back and punches it through mid on for a run.

FOUR! CLUNK! Now, that will please Klaasen, if someone helps him out. The carrom ball, around middle, just short of full, Marco Jansen uses his long reach, gets down on a knee and slogs the ball over mid-wicket! 150 UP FOR SOUTH AFRICA. 157 more needed from 136 balls.

Full, on middle, Heinrich Klaasen works it through mid on for a single.

The on-air commentators are having a go at one another and all of them are Proteas! Mike Haysman, Hashim Amla and Kepler Wessels. Each is trying to chide the other to make a statement that this game is done. Amla stays on the borderline, saying that the Pink outfit makes the South African players do special things. So he is still hopeful that the home side can pull off a win from here. Meanwhile, the Pakistan Test skipper, Shan Masood is in the stands! The series kicks off from Boxing Day, i.e., 26th December 2024 and he is just chilling off at the moment.

Almost a carbon copy of the previous delivery. Fuller and on middle. Heinrich Klaasen flicks it off his hips, fine towards deep fine leg for a single.

Back of a length, on middle again, nips in this time. Heinrich Klaasen flicks it in between deep backward square leg and deep square leg. Salman Agha runs to his right from deep square leg, puts in the dive and saves two for his team.

Back of a length, on middle. Heinrich Klaasen flicks it wide of mid on for a brace.

Fuller and around off, Klaasen works it through square leg. He takes the single but on seeing deep square leg racing to his left and slipping while trying to throw the ball, the batters take the second. Heinrich moves to 40 (21).

Outside off, punched on the up by Marco Jansen through the covers for a run. 169 more needed from 142 balls.

A bit too straight, Heinrich Klaasen clips it through square leg for a single.

Is it going to be Pakistan vs Klaasen again? The required rate has already touched 7 and with half the side down, it seems a tall order for the Proteas. But just because of what that man can do and did in Cape Town, one can never say how much is too much for Heinrich. Naseem Shah is back on. 4-0-22-1 so far.

Pulls the length back a bit, grips and turns away. Marco Jansen plays it with soft hands and the ball drops dead back down.

Fuller but quicker through the air. Marco Jansen lunges to drive it back towards the bowler.

Floated up and outside off, turning away. Heinrich Klaasen rocks back to cut it towards point for a single.

SIX! What a shot is that! Fractionally short, outside off, Heinrich Klaasen rocks back and pulls it massively over wide long on!

Outside off, a touch flatter, punched towards cover.

Landed outside off, Heinrich Klaasen punches it straight to backward point.

Fuller and on the off stump. Marco Jansen punches it back towards the bowler with a full face of the bat.

Fuller, outside off, Klaasen looks to drive but the ball comes slowly off the deck. Takes the inner half of the bat and nurdles behind square leg. A run taken.

FOUR! Solid from Heinrich Klaasen. Pitched in short, directed towards the batter. This one nicely sits up for Klaasen to pull it away and he does that towards deep mid-wicket to pick up another boundary.

Outside off, punched wide of cover for a single.

Around off, punched towards mid off.

Outside off, on a length, Heinrich Klaasen drives it through the covers for a single.

Full and outside off, turning away, Marco Jansen swishes but misses. What a spell this is from the centurion - 6-0-18-1!

Marco Jansen walks in next at number 7, replacing David Miller.

OUT! CAUGHT BEHIND! What a terrific piece of anticipation! Terrific bit of keeping by Mohammad Rizwan. Miller walks off with a wry smile on his face. He cannot help but smile at that catch. Fuller in length, outside off, David Miller gets down and looks to paddle it around the corner. The ball hits the bat flush alright but Rizwan quickly gets across to his right, expecting the ball to come his way. It comes thick and fast to him and he reacts in defense actually, trying to save himself, rather than catch the ball. Luckily for him, it hits his gloves and pops up back in the air. The skipper takes it on the second attempt and Pakistan are overjoyed! Two quick wickets for South Africa as they slip from 120/3 to 123/5! Miller departs for 3 (6) and the hosts need another 185 from 157 balls.

A little slower through the air, DM goes back and tries to help it around the corner, but finds square leg this time!

Fuller, on middle and leg, David works it towards short mid-wicket again.

Change of angle, as Ayub comes around the wicket. Gets the ball to come in with the arm, around middle, Miller pats it towards short mid-wicket.

Tossed up slowly through the air, around leg stump, David Miller flicks it to the right of the fielder diving at square leg and returns for the second.

So we will now have a result even if this rain intervenes later on. We don't wish for any interruptions but just saying, since 20 overs were needed in the second innings to constitute a match. The home side itself will not want the game to be halted any time soon. Because, for the loss of 4 wickets, after 20 overs, the Proteas need to be at 159!

Honing in at the stumps, on a good length, whipped through mid-wicket for a single by Miller to get off the mark.

David Miller walks in next at number 6, replacing Rassie van der Dussen.

OUT! LBW! This looks dead straight and the finger is raised! Rassie van der Dussen has a chat with his partner and takes the review. Rassie has played all around to a straight delivery and this looks like a review more in hope, than anything else. Hasnain nails a yorker, on the off stump line, Rassie van der Dussen premeditates as he walks across his stumps to help it away fine on the leg side. Gets beaten on the leg side and gets hit on the left boot. An easy decision for the umpire. The UltraEdge shows no bat involved and it is three reds on Ball Tracking with the ball crashing into the middle stump. Rassie takes a review with him. The 40-run stand is broken. Rassie goes for 35 (53). South Africa are now 120/4 in 19.5 overs.

This skids off the deck, on a back of a length, over middle, Heinrich Klaasen stays back to defend. Gets it off the inner half of the bat in front of square leg. Klaasen thinks about two but the fielder in the deep is quick to get in off the ropes and keeps it down to one.

MISFIELD, FOUR!  A short ball, outside off, Heinrich Klaasen stands tall and pulls it beautifully, but to deep mid-wicket. But Kamran Ghulam gets across a couple of steps to his left and then overruns the ball. It slips behind him and meets the fence! 189 more needed from 165 balls.

On middle and leg, van der Dussen flicks it through mid-wicket for a single.

Mohammad Hasnain comes into the attack now. 4-0-19-0 so far. Starts bang on target, just outside off, Rassie van der Dussen defends it towards the off side.

Tossed up, full and around off, Rassie van der Dussen knocks it down the ground to long off for a run.

This is fired in, fuller and on off, Rassie van der Dussen lunges and stabs it down on the off side.

Loopy delivery, at 86 kph, on off, on a length, Rassie van der Dussen presses forward in defence.

It has been a flurry of boundaries alright but South Africa are not finding it easy to rotate the strike. When that happens, it means that one batter is facing the bowler for more deliveries and that could also increase the chances of a wicket.

Outside off, pushed down to long off for a run.

Fuller, around off, van der Dussen lunges and punches it through mid off for a single.

Outside off, spinning away, Rassie van der Dussen pushes but misses.

Tossed up, into the pads, Rassie van der Dussen nurdles it behind square on the leg side and crosses over.

SIX! Wow, what a shot! Slips in the googly and tries to keep it away from the batter's arc, near the tramline on off, on a nagging length, Rassie van der Dussen extends his hands into the shot and with a horizontal bat, clears the long off fence for a six.

NO BALL! Short and on off, punched from the crease to cover by Rassie. Sufiyan Muqeem has overstepped. Free Hit coming up.

Almost dragged it back onto the stumps! Dishes out the googly, short and around off, Rassie van der Dussen makes room to force it through the off side. Gets an inside edge back onto the right pad.

This one is on the stumps, Heinrich backs away and punches it through the covers for a single.

FOUR MORE! Pretty much from the batter this time. Misdirected by Sufiyan, down the leg side, short in length as well. Klassen gets outside the line and pulls it to the right of short fine leg. 100 UP FOR SOUTH AFRICA. 206 more needed from 178 balls.

EDGED, FOUR! Floated, outside off, Heinrich Klaasen looks to drive but gets a thick outside edge. It will do nicely for South Africa as the ball races to the left of short third, into the fence behind.

Floated up, full and on off, Rassie van der Dussen gets on the front foot and pushes it to cover.

Nicely looped up, full and around off, Heinrich Klaasen reaches out in front and eases the drive past cover for a single.

Serves it flat and short, on off, Heinrich Klaasen pats it back to Ayub.

Landed outside off, Klaasen gets down and gently laps it through fine leg for a couple.

Around middle, Rassie van der Dussen turns it through square leg for a run.

Thrown up, outside off, Heinrich Klaasen drives it through the covers for a single.

Turning back in sharply, on a nagging length, on middle, Rassie van der Dussen hangs back and dabs it down the deck.

FOUR! Short and punished! A half tracker by Sufiyan, on middle and leg, Rassie van der Dussen gets on the back foot in a flash and pulls it firmly through backward square leg. Naseem Shah in the deep sprints and slides to his left but fails to cut it off as the ball gets parried away into the fence off his legs. Naseem seems to have done himself some mischief while putting in that effort.

Short and wide on off, Rassie van der Dussen reaches out for the cut but fails to connect.

Outside off, pushed through the covers for a single.

FOUR! This guy is in excellent form. Not all that short, but Heinrich Klaasen rocks back, creates his own length and pulls it behind square leg!

Heinrich Klaasen walks in next at number 5, replacing Aiden Markram. Got so close to his century a couple of days back. Would love a repeat dose tonight.

OUT! CAUGHT! You have got to be joking. Jo'burg probably has the smallest ground in the whole of South Africa and even here, a batter has got caught out at the boundary. A nothing ball results in a wicket and what a stroke of luck for Pakistan. A long hop, right in the middle of the match, spinning away, Aiden Markram rocks back and looks to pull and connects well too. But he hits it pretty flat and Kamran Ghulam gets an easy catch at deep mid-wicket. Freebie of a delivery, a freebie of a wicket. Perhaps it hit the bottom of the bat. The stand has been broken and Markram departs for 19 (27).

DRINKS BREAK. Excellent bit of cricket. Pakistan are trying to squeeze the home side. South Africa on the other hand, are trying to keep wickets in hand and build partnerships. It is still a challenge for them against spin. Here comes Sufiyan Muqeem.

Outside off, pushed towards cover.

Impact outside off? Full, outside off, Markram got down and across to play the paddle sweep but missed and got hit on the pads. Ayub roared an LBW appeal but the umpire moved away. Rizwan got his players together and had a massive discussion, about to take the review with 2 seconds left on the clock. But then, it seemed like Ayub himself was not sure where the impact was. Good thing that the review was not taken in the end. Meanwhile, a single was taken and it has been signalled as a leg bye. The Ball Tracker shows that the impact was in line but the ball was clipping the outer half of off stump, which means Umpire's Call. So the review would have been retained but the decision would not have changed.

Gone? There is a huge shout for LBW and Ayub seems interested but the umpire does not. Rizwan thinks about the review but does not gain confidence from his bowler or fielders. Review not taken.

On middle and leg, Aiden Markram bunts it towards short mid-wicket.

Around off, punched through wide mid off for a single.

What a lovely ball. Was that a leg spinner? No, it seems like a carrom ball only. Landed outside off, van der Dussen looks to drive it through the off side but the ball pitches and then spins away, beating the outside edge.

Fuller, around off, Rassie van der Dussen looks to punch it down the ground but Ayub himself dives to his left and stops the single.

Another lovely ball. Hasnain pitches it up again but the line is a lot straighter. Aiden looks to defend it down the pitch but the ball straightens and squares him up. Takes the leading edge and goes towards backward point.

FOUR! Up and over! What a riposte! Hasnain goes fuller and Markram pounces. A bit wider outside off, Aiden Markram reaches out and lofts it beautifully over the covers. The stand is worth 33 (44).

That is a beauty! There was a sound as the ball went through to the keeper but was there bat involved? Not as per the keeper or anyone behind the stumps. A terrific delivery, on a good length, with excellent bounce, Aiden Markram looks to defend but the ball jags back in sharply, He hops due to the bounce but is unable to counter the movement. Is cramped for room and the replay shows the ball missing the inside edge and hitting his back pad, before going through to Rizwan.

On a good length, around middle, Rassie nudges it with soft hands through mid-wicket and takes the single.

A slower ball, shorter in length, a bit wider outside off, van der Dussen shoulders arms.

WIDE. Way outside off, left alone.

Full, around middle, Rassie van der Dussen pushes it towards mid on. Sets off for a single but then quickly changes his mind.

Plenty of encouragement coming from the keeper cum skipper, Mohammad Rizwan. After every ball, he was encouraging the youngster Ayub. Ended the over by saying, 'THEEK HAI, THEEK HAI, KAAM CHAL GAYA!' Meaning, 'It is okay, it is okay, we have got away with it.'

Full, around middle and leg, watchfully defended.

A touch short, around off, van der Dussen punches it towards long off for a run.

Very full, the off spinner, around middle, Rassie van der Dussen drives it back to the bowler.

Another carrom ball, on middle and leg, Markram watches it closely, picks the spin and pushes it beautifully down the ground through mid on for a single.

The off spinner now, outside off, fuller, Aiden Markram drives it towards short extra cover.

Landed around middle and leg, another carrom ball I suspect, punched back to the bowler.

It has been a good exhibition of pace by the Pakistan seamers. All three - Afridi, Naseem and Hasnain - have bowled in excess of 140 kph.

Full and just outside off, Rassie defends it towards point.

Short and wide outside off, Aiden rocks back and cuts it through point for another run.

On a good length, around off, van der Dussen helps it through mid-wicket for one more.

Around off, pushed towards mid off for a quick single.

EDGED, FOUR! Width and Markram slashes. The boundaries here provide value for your shots. Short and wide outside off, Aiden Markram slashes hard and gets a thick outside edge which flies over the vacant slip cordon. There is deep third present but the ball goes much finer, to his left.

Landed outside off, a touch short, Rassie van der Dussen throws his bat at it and slashes the ball over point for a single.

DROPPED! Well, it was his day and normally, on such days, such things stick. Unfortunately for Ayub, it does not stick. Landed outside off, Aiden Markram looks to push it down the ground for a single but ends up playing a bit too early. As a result, a catch is spooned to the left of the bowler. Saim Ayub flings himself to his left and goes one-handed but the ball pops out. Replay later shows that it was actually a carrom ball. Meaning, the ball, intended to spin in, spun away. Interesting.

Around off, spinning in, worked through square leg for another single.

Around middle and leg, Aiden punches it towards long on for one.

Around off, Rassie van der Dussen eases this wider of the bowler, slightly wide of long off for a run.

Fired through flatter, outside off, Markram punches this past the bowler, to long off for a single.

WIDE. Slipped down the leg side, Aiden Markram cannot connect with his flick.

Full, around off, pushed back to the bowler.

POWERPLAY 2 time. 4 fielders allowed outside the 30-yard circle till the 38th over. It was a balanced Powerplay 1 and the middle overs could dictate terms again. It has been the middle overs which has hurt South Africa in the series, through spin. Talking about spin, here comes Saim Ayub.

On a good length, outside off, swinging away and goes further away off the wicket as well. Rassie van der Dussen leaves it alone.

Fuller and just outside off, swinging away. Rassie van der Dussen comfortably gets forward and defends it back towards the bowler with soft hands.

Back of a length, on off. Rassie van der Dussen defends it back onto the ground.

Even fuller this time by Hasnain, outside off, Rassie van der Dussen lunges for the drive but fails to get the desired placement. The bat turns in his hand and he hits it along the ground towards mid off.

Closer to the off stump line, on a length, and there is that away shape again, Rassie van der Dussen gets on the front foot and taps it down the deck with a straight bat.

Swinging away, on a good length, around off, Rassie van der Dussen presses forward and taps it down on the off side.

The drizzle seems to have abated, one feels. Cannot see any rain drops now. But there is more expected in the radar. Remember, for the match to have a result, at least 20 overs need to be bowled in this run chase. As of now, from the sheet that we have, it reads the par score as 119/2 after the end of 20 overs. Which means, the Proteas need to touch 120 if they are to be on the winning side, 2 wickets down, after 20 overs.

Fuller and on off stump, swinging away. Rassie van der Dussen defends it with a dead bat and immediately senses an opportunity for a quick single while the mid on and mid-wicket come through, the batter comfortably gets in.

Oh, that was close to the stumps. Goes fuller again, on middle. Aiden Markram looks to cut it but is too close for comfort and takes the bottom edge and just flies past the leg stump to go towards deep fine leg and the batters run through for a single.

Full and on middle stump. Does not move that much. Aiden Markram looks to play from inside his crease and just with his hands, right underneath his eyes.

FOUR! Fortuitous boundary! Honing in on the off stump line, on a good length, Aiden Markram hangs on the back foot to see this one out with a straight bat. There is just enough away movement that results in the ball squaring Markram up and catching the outside edge. It beats the diving first slip fielder to his right for a boundary.

Oh dear. There is a drizzle in the air now. The forecast said that there is rain expected and it is expected to get heavier as the game goes on. For now, play continues as this might just be a passing shower.

Lands it full again, on off, Aiden Markram mistimes the drive and it goes straight to cover.

At 139 kph, full and swinging away, outside off, Aiden Markram frees his arms as he looks to go for the drive. Miscues it off the inner half of the bat towards mid on.

Nice to see the mexican wave go up in the crowd. Irrespective of the series status, the people are enjoying themselves. That's what you come to the cricket field for. The match results are not in your control but you can enjoy the game irrespective. Change of ends for Naseem Shah now. 3-0-15-1 from the other end.

On a good length, outside off, angling away, van der Dussen shoulders arms.

Fuller, around off, swinging away, Rassie van der Dussen comes forward, covers the line and the swing and pushes it towards cover-point.

FOUR! Bowled back of a length, outside off, nips in. Rassie van der Dussen brings out the 'Natraj' this time to guide it fine, off his hips towards the deep fine leg fence to pick up another boundary.

This jags back in off the wicket, on a hard length, on off, Aiden Markram is cramped up for room but he does well to ride the bounce and chop it down wide of cover for a run.

On a good length, in the channel on off, Aiden Markram shoulders arms.

Steams in from over the wicket, at 134 kph, on a shortish length, on off, Aiden Markram does well to rise with the bounce and fends it down on the off side.

Meanwhile, Mike Haysman on air confirms that if South Africa win one of their 2 Tests against Pakistan starting from Boxing Day, the Proteas would be through to the World Test Championship final! As the current rankings stand, it seems like a knockout punch between Australia and India, but while the Asian side has only two more Tests left in this cycle, the Aussies have got 5 more Tests starting from the Boxing Day. It does seem like Sri Lanka are ruled out after losing their Test series against South Africa a month ago. But that Sri Lanka-Australia series in Sri Lanka could actually determine who among Australia or India make it through to the final. And we have the first bowling change. Mohammad Hasnain to bowl.

Appeal there from Shaheen Afridi but not given! Seems like it might go over. Bowled back of a length, on off stump, swinging in. Rassie van der Dussen does not offer a shot and the ball thuds onto his pads but above the knee roll. The captain has a chat with the bowler and decides not to opt for a review in the end.

Fuller in length, comes inward through the air. Rassie van der Dussen nudges it towards square leg.

WIDE! Full and wayward down leg. Rassie van der Dussen looks to flick it but misses his shot in the end.

Bowled back of a length, on leg stump. Aiden Markram hops up, looks to tuck it as the ball loops up his thigh guard towards square leg. The batters run through for a single and the umpire acknowledges that it came off the thigh guard.

OUT! CAUGHT AND BOWLED! Now, that is a proper fast bowler's response! Shaheen bends his back and digs it in short. Slips in a well-directed bumper, at the left shoulder of the batter. Tony de Zorzi looks to fend it down off the back foot but the ball gets big on him and he gets hurried. He fails to drop his wrists in time to get out of the line of the ball. The ball catches him on the glove and balloons beside the pitch on the leg side. Afridi runs across to his left in his followthrough and completes the catch. Bangs the ball onto the turf and he is all pumped up. De Zorzi departs for 26 (23) and South Africa are 44/2, needing another 264 from 243 balls.

Aiden Markram walks in next at number 4, replacing Tony de Zorzi.

Wide! Banged in short by Afridi but this sails over the batter's head for a wide. Shaheen feels hard done by.

SIX! BANG! 'Have some of that', says Tony! With an upright seam, this is on a length, outside off, Tony de Zorzi collapses his back knee to get underneath this one and launches it over cover for a flat six.

FOUR! Easy pickings! Too straight from Shaheen, on a length, on the pads, Tony de Zorzi is already standing on the off stump and just flicks it to the left of the man at mid-wicket for a boundary.

Time for a change? Not yet. Afridi continues.

Back of a length, just around off stump, swinging away. Rassie van der Dussen hops up to play that one and is opened up completely but still manages to defend it with a full face of the bat, back down onto the ground.

Pulls his length back a bit, does Naseem Shah. Bowled outside off, swinging away. Rassie van der Dussen awkwardly prods at it as he is slightly opened up and defends it right underneath his eyes.

Fuller outside off, swinging away. Rassie van der Dussen goes forward and defends it firmly towards cover.

A bit of a chat. Just before that boundary, Rassie van der Dussen called Tony de Zorzi for a brief discussion. And the next thing we know, it is a boundary. Maybe, it might have been about taking a quick single and rotating the strike after getting a boundary on the first ball, but now, two boundaries in the over mean that one of the slips has gone out.

FOUR! Class written all over it! Naseem hurls it on a length, outside off, Rassie van der Dussen lets the ball come to him and then gets his hands through the line of the ball. Accounts for the away movement and creams the drive through covers for four more runs.

On a back of a length, on off, Rassie van der Dussen gets on top of the bounce and dabs it down on the off side.

FOUR! Beautifully played! Naseem bowls it full, just outside the off stump, Rassie van der Dussen walks across his stumps and gets behind the line of the ball. He has to ensure that he hits it away from the man at short mid on. Brings his wrists into play to get the placement right and hits it well wide and to the right of short mid on for a boundary.

After 5 overs, Pakistan were 17/1. So South Africa have got a headstart at least. They have 25 on the board, for the loss of a wicket as well, but one of those 5 overs was a maiden. Still, if they manage to stay in touch with the required rate, they can cover it up at the end. Jo'burg always assists shotmakers towards the end. But the home side needs to have wickets in hand.

Full and outside off, swinging in.Tony de Zorzi gets forward and covers the line of the stump to defend it towards point. That is a maiden!

Goes the other way this time. Bowled back of a length, outside off, swings away. Tony de Zorzi does not poke at it and lets it go through.

Cuts him in half, does Shaheen Afridi. Bowled on a good length, nips in off the wicket. Tony de Zorzi looks to push forward but the ball sneaks inward and goes past the inside edge and over the off stump.

Angling in, on a back of a length, on middle, Tony de Zorzi stays back and nudges it to mid-wicket.

Play and a miss! Shaping away, on the fuller side, outside off, Tony de Zorzi tries to cash in on the width and goes for the drive away from the body but the ball does not bounce as much as the batter expected. Sneaks under the horizontal bat of Tony.

Oh, that could have so easily gone back onto the stumps! Slanting in, on the off stump line, on a good length, Tony de Zorzi is a bit late on the shot. Tries to play it close to his body in an effort to keep it out. The ball catches the inside edge of the bat and rolls past the off stump.

Brings the batter on the front foot this time does Naseem as this is full and in the corridor of off, Rassie plants his front foot ahead and shoulders arms.

At 138 kph, on a back of a length, this skids through and rises on its way to the batter, Rassie van der Dussen reads it well and withdraws his hands and bat away from the line of the ball to let it go.

This is fuller and Naseem continues to get the ball to swing away, outside off, Rassie van der Dussen gets on the front foot nicely and taps it to cover.

With a short mid on in place, Naseem steams in from over the wicket and keeps it in the channel on off, on a length, Rassie van der Dussen hangs back and stabs it down on the off side.

Rassie van der Dussen walks in next at number 3, replacing his skipper, Temba Bavuma.

OUT! TAKEN! Naseem Shah gives Pakistan an early success! This is on a length, shaping away a touch, on off, Temba Bavuma looks to drive it on the up but ends up playing well in front of his body. As a result, he is unable to control the shot and the away movement results in the ball catching the outer half of the bat and flying straight to backward point where Saim Ayub takes a sitter near his waist. Naseem continues to smile as he always does and Bavuma, who was looking so good, has to depart for 8 (6). South Africa are 25/1 and need another 283 from 262 balls.

Shaping back in, at the stumps, on a good length, Tony de Zorzi tries to give himself room to force it through the off side. Mistimes the shot in front of mid on and the batters scamper across for a quick single.

Going across the batter from over the wicket, on a back of a length, Temba Bavuma has a slight fiddle at the delivery and he is lucky not to nick this one behind.

Hurls it on a short of a length, outside off, Tony de Zorzi waits on the back foot and glides it down to deep third for one more.

Delivers it on a back of a length, on off, Tony de Zorzi is unable to free his arms to get the cut shot away. Ends up chopping it down in front of point.

Fuller in length, on off, Tony de Zorzi firms the drive but picks out the man at cover.

SIX! Helped away with ease! Angling into the pads, on a back of a length, Tony de Zorzi gets inside the line of the ball and uses the pace. Helps the ball on its way and clears the deep fine leg fence for a six.

FOUR! Exquisite! Length delivery, a hint of away shape, outside off, Tony de Zorzi leans into the shot and cracks the drive through the vacant extra cover region for a boundary.

FOUR! Lovely shot! Pitched up by Naseem in search of swing, around off, Temba Bavuma lets the ball come to him and just eases himself into the drive. Hits it through covers for a boundary.

Swinging away, in the channel on off, on a good length, left alone by Temba.

This climbs onto the batter, on a back of a length, around off, Tony de Zorzi steers it down off the back foot towards deep third for a single.

A lucky escape for Tony de Zorzi! Shah bashes the hard length, nipping back in, on middle and leg, Tony de Zorzi tries to turn it away on the leg side with a closed bat face but closes the bat face early and gets a leading edge that balloons and drops in front of the sliding Naseem Shah in his followthrough.

Short and wide on off, Tony de Zorzi throws his hands at the delivery to go over the infield on the off side. Does not quite get hold of it. Tayyab Tahir gives it a chase and slides to save a couple of runs for his side.

Naseem gets a bit of extra bounce first up, on a back of a length, over off, Tony de Zorzi gets on top of the bounce and pushes it towards point.

It will be Naseem Shah to steam in from the other end.

Pulls the length back and pushes this one across the right-hander, on a back of a length, Temba Bavuma holds his bat high up and leaves the ball alone.

FOUR! Bavuma is up and running! Full and shaping back in, on middle and leg, Bavuma stays balanced in the crease and brings his wrists into play. Clips it between mid-wicket and mid on for a boundary.

This tails back in sharply, very full, at the stumps, Tony de Zorzi does well to get his bat down in time and jams it out to the right of mid off for a single.

Drags the length back and keeps it in the channel on off, Tony de Zorzi tucks his bat inside the line of the ball and sees the ball go through to the keeper.

Beaten! On the fuller side, outside off, Tony de Zorzi sees the width on offer and fishes at the delivery well away from his body. Gets beaten on the outside edge.

Gets the ball to angle back in now, on a good length, on off, de Zorzi hangs back to keep it out.

Wide! Starts off on a back of a length, well, outside off, nipping away, Tony de Zorzi lets it go for a wide.

Angling across, on a back of a length, over off, Shah looks to fend it down on the off side but the ball climbs onto him. It rolls off the face of the bat in front of backward point for a single. 11 runs off the final over. Pakistan finish on 308/9!

FOUR! Gets it through! Jansen misses his mark and ends up serving a low full toss, on off, Naseem stays deep in the crease and drills it to the right of mid off for a boundary.

Well, 2 balls left for Naseem to do something.

Bye! Banged in short by Jansen, over off and middle, Sufiyan Muqeem skips down the track and tries to slap it away on the off side. He fails to connect but Naseem is alert enough to sneak in a bye as the ball goes through to the keeper.

OUT! CAUGHT! Another one! Four and gone for Hasnain. A length ball, around middle and leg, Hasnain moves leg side and looks to heave but cannot clear deep mid-wicket. David Miller takes the catch with ease. Pakistan are now about to get bowled out.

FOUR! That will help! Overpitched, around middle, Mohammad Hasnain backs away a touch and hammers it through the covers! 300 UP FOR PAKISTAN! 4 more balls left.

Mohammad Hasnain walks in next at number 10, replacing Tayyab Tahir.

OUT! CAUGHT AND BOWLED! How shall we desribe this? Can we call it a giraffe plucking an apple from the tree? And technically, can this be called as a team hattrick? Because South Africa have actually struck thrice in 3 legal balls. A length ball, around middle, Tahir looks to slap it straight back but the tall Jansen sticks out his left hand and plucks it out!  Tahir departs for 28 (24) and Pakistan are 298/8 with 4 balls left!

WIDE. A bouncer on off, too high, Tayyab Tahir sways away. Too high and one for the bouncer signalled as well.

Naseem Shah walks in next at number 9, replacing Shaheen Afridi. Rabada cannot get a hattrick but South Africa can get a team hattrick. Marco Jansen returns. 8-0-48-0 so far.

OUT! CAUGHT! Two in two for Rabada! Lands it on a length from over the wicket, on middle and leg, Shaheen Afridi clears his front leg and goes for a hoick across the line. Gets more height than distance on it and it goes very high in the air but only as far as deep square leg. It is Rassie van der Dussen who keeps his eyes on the ball all the way through and settles under the skier to complete another reverse-cup catch.

Shaheen Afridi walks in next at number 8, replacing Salman Agha.

OUT! TAKEN! Agha holes out! Another delivery on a back of a length, outside off, Agha sets himself up deep in the crease to slap it away on the off side. He has no intention of keeping the shot along the ground and ends up hitting it straight down the throat of the fielder at deep point. He could not have picked out Rassie van der Dussen in the deep any better. Rassie takes a reverse-cup catch near his chest. Agha's entertaining knock comes to an end. He goes for 48 (33).

On a back of a length, slower one and it is inside the tramline on off, Agha gets close to the line of the ball but ends up leaving it alone.

Around off, wristed through mid on for a single.

FOUR! Well, Tahir wants to join in on the fun! The boundaries keep on coming for Pakistan. Dug in short, outside off, Tayyab Tahir leaps and slaps it over cover. Almost like a forehand shot in tennis. The ball slows down near the boundary but there is no one in the deep on that side. Boundary.

A length ball, outside off, Tayyab Tahir gets across and looks to lap it fine but misses.

40 in the last 3 overs. Can Pakistan get to 320? Around 310 looks very much on, thanks to Salman Agha. So Rabada has been chosen as the second bowler to bowl his 10th.

Full and straight on the stumps. Salman Agha looks to flick it, but it instead takes a leading edge and goes straight up towards mid off. Corbin Bosch runs back towards the ball but it just falls short and he collects it on the bounce while the batters run through for a brace.

SIX! Cheeky shot from Salman Agha. Full and on the middle stump, coming in at searing pace. Salman Agha premeditates his shot, makes himself some room, lines himself up for a scoop and pulls it off intelligently in the end. The ball sails over the wicketkeeper as it goes into the stands for a biggie!

Short and aimed towards the batter, coming off the wicket. Salman Agha swats it towards deep backward square leg for a brace.

SIX! Agha connects and connects well this time! Bosch misses his mark and serves it right in the slot, on off, Agha opens his body up to access the off side and angles the bat face to thump it over cover for a biggie.

This curves away a touch in the air, full and outside off, Agha stays low to make the connection and tries to launch it back over the bowler's head but misses.

Angling in from over the wicket, very full, on middle, Tahir clears his front leg and swipes it to deep mid-wicket for a single.

Pitched in short again, directed towards the batter. Salman Agha opens up his body and flat bats it towards mid-wicket for a brace. Didn't quite have all of it in the end did Salman.

FOUR! Bowled back of a length, outside off. Salman Agha latches on the room given and cuts it up and over towards the backward point region for another boundary.

Short and wide outside off, seams away slightly. Tayyab Tahir flays his hands at it and cuts it over towards sweeper cover for a single.

A tighter line, on a fullish length, Agha digs it out in front of backward point and gets to the other end.

FOUR! Width offered and Agha cashes in! Rabada errs in line as he serves it near the tramline on off, on a length, Agha frees his arms and carves it over backward point for a boundary. The stand moves to 44.

Rabada returns to the attack and gets the yorker in first up, at the off stump, Tahir jams it out in front of mid off for a single.

Goes short again, angled towards the batter. Salman Agha looks to pull but the ball whizzes past from over him. Could have been a wide but not given this time. Agha is not happy with that decision.

WIDE! Banged in way too short. Salman Agha jumps up to get that one but not able to reach it in the end.

FOUR! Full and wide outside off stump, Corbin Bosch misses his yorker by just a bit. Salman Agha slices it over extra cover by freeing his arms and picks up another boundary.

Goes short, directed towards the batter. Tayyab Tahir flat bats it towards long on for a single.

Beaten! This skids off the deck, on a back of a length, outside off, Tahir tries to cut it away but gets beaten as the ball goes over his bat.

FOUR! Up and over! Another off-pace delivery but the length is a bit too short, around off, Tahir backs away and slaps it up and over wide mid off for a boundary.

And Bosch is down. Seems like cramps, just stretching out his left leg. After delivering the ball, Bosch landed a bit awkwardly. The physio has come out, but Aiden Markram, who knows Corbin Bosch in and out, probably from school days, quickly signals to the dugout that everything is fine.

Seems like Pakistan have slowed down big time. Wickets have stalled them a touch.

Oh, hello! What has happened here? Keeps it away from the batter's reach, on off, on a length, Tahir reaches out to go through the off side but gets deceived by the slowness of the delivery. Bosch falls over in his followthrough and seems to be experiencing cramps in his left calf.

Back of a length, outside off, angling away. Salman Agha looks to cut it but the balls whizzes past the slashing blade of Agha.

WIDE! Sprayed full and way outside off. The umpires deem it a wide in the end.

Back of a length, outside of, leg cutter. Salman Agha slices it towards deep third. The batters sneak in a couple as the throws comes back.

Bowled back of a length, outside off. Salman Agha gets on top of the bounce and cuts it over point towards deep backward point region. Kagiso Rabada runs in from deep third to collect that one while batters sense and opportunity to sneak in another. The batters had to scamper there for the second but complete it in end.

Dug in short by Jansen, outside off, Tahir tries to hammer it away in front of square on the leg side. Ends up losing his shape in the process. Scuffs it off the toe end of the bat in front of mid on for one.

Jansen rolls his fingers over the ball and lands it fuller in length, outside off, Tahir opens the bat face and glides it down. Picks out Rabada at short third.

Angled away, on a nagging length, around off, Agha punches it on the rise to deep point for a single.

Only two bowlers will be able to bowl 10 overs and Bjorn Fortuin is one of them. Who will be the other? One candidate, Marco Jansen, comes back onto bowl. 7-0-41-0 so far.

Overpitched way outside off. Salman Agha opens his face of the bat and slices it towards deep backward point for a single.

Back of a length, just outside off, nips away. Tayyab Tahir taps it down towards deep third for a single.

Banged in short, directed towards the batter. Tayyab Tahir flat bats it towards mid-wicket for a brace.

Oh, that stood up! A cross-seam delivery, on a nagging length, on middle and leg, kicks up from that length. Tahir gets his bat out in front to stab it down the deck. The ball hits the bat on the handle and rolls back towards the bowler.

A loud shout for LBW but turned down! Rabada is convinced and he coaxes Bavuma into taking the review. This is very full, at the toes, Tahir looks to make it into a low full toss and flick it away. The ball rolls down to deep fine leg for a couple of runs. The front-on replay shows that there is a deflection and the UltraEdge confirms that there was bat involved. South Africa lose a review.

Wide! Sprayed down leg, on a length, Tahir fails to help it away. Wide given.

This nips back in, on a back of a length, over middle, Agha hops to defend it off the back foot. Gets beaten on the inside edge and the ball rolls away off the thigh pad on the off side for a leg bye.

SIX! Deposited well into the stands. This one is overpitched on middle. Tayyab Tahir goes down on one knee and slog sweeps it with immense power, over the deep mid-wicket fence and it sails over the ropes for a biggie.

Full and on the middle stump, turning away. Salman Agha leans forward to work it away towards mid-wicket for a single as Bjorn Fortuin gives chase and keeps it down to just a single.

Short and outside off. Salman Agha short-arm jabs it towards wide mid on for a brace.

Short, outside off, moving away, Tayyab Tahir cuts it towards point.

Around off, a touch short, Agha works it through mid-wicket for a single.

Landed around off, Salman Agha pats it back to the bowler.

Jagging back in, on a back of a length, on middle, Tahir looks to keep it out with a straight bat but gets beaten on the inside edge and wears it high on the thigh pad.

Slower and on a back of a length, on the pads, Tahir misses the tickle. The ball brushes his pads and rolls behind to the keeper.

Pace on and on a back of a length, outside off, Tahir chops it down off the back foot to backward point.

Neatly done. On a good length, outside off, Tahir waits and waits and waits for the ball to arrive and at the last possible moment, dabs it towards deep third. The keeper, Heinrich Klaasen, dives to his right, but cannot get there. The ball goes towards deep third and the batters take the single. But Tayyab sees the fielder a bit lax and charges back for the second. Rabada is not happy with the fielder.

Very full, on middle, Tayyab Tahir flicks it straight to short mid-wicket.

On a good length, outside off, Salman Agha dabs it towards deep third for a single.

Tayyab Tahir walks in next at number 7, replacing his skipper, Mohammad Rizwan. Boasts of a good strike rate in T20s and the time is ripe for him to explode. But he needs to be careful as well, with Pakistan amidst a mini collapse. Also, POWERPLAY 3 is on. 5 fielders allowed outside the 30-yard circle till the end of the innings. Kagiso Rabada is back on as well. 6-0-28-1 so far.

OUT! CAUGHT! The captain falls this time. This one is bowled full and outside off, a bit quicker through the air, turning away. Mohammad Rizwan goes on one knee and looks to drag it from outside off and play the slog sweep but gets a top edge that goes straight up towards short third. Kagiso Rabada runs a couple of steps towards his left to complete the catch. Rizwan departs for 53 (52) and Pakistan have slipped from 208/2 to 223/5!

Flatter, quicker on the off stump. Salman Agha works it towards mid-wicket for a single as Bjorn Fortuin gives chase to keep it down to just a single.

WIDE! Full but down leg, goes straight on. Salman Agha goes on one knee, looking to sweep but misses.

Premeditates stepping out of the crease but can't make use of it. Bowled full and on the stumps, goes straight on. Salman Agha steps out of the crease to flick it uppishly towards the leg side, instead wears it on the pads.

Fuller, outside off, Mohammad Rizwan jumps down the track and looks to go inside out, but is not quite to the pitch of the ball. Skews it and the ball is sliced over cover-point. A run taken.

Short and outside off, turning away, Agha slaps it to deep cover for a single.

Landed outside off, Salman Agha waits for the ball to arrive and dabs it neatly, past the keeper through short third. Kagiso Rabada tracks it down from short third, to his left and keeps the batters to a couple.

Comes in closer to the stumps this time does, Corbin Bosch. On a good length, this one seams away but Salman Agha is watchful and dabs it down towards deep third for a single.

Fuller and way outside off. Mohammad Rizwan makes room and dabs it towards deep third for a single.

Bowls on a hard length, outside off, nips away. Salman Agha gets on top of the bounce and punches it with an angled bat towards cover. Aiden Markram puts in a dive towards his left to keep it down to just a single.

Outside off, steered towards deep third for a single.

FOUR! That has been hit beautifully. Yet another HALF CENTURY FOR RIZWAN, his 15th in ODIs. This has come in 48 balls. Gets there with a pull of a short ball, all along all the ground, through mid-wicket. Needless to say, he needs to bat till the end and allow the others around him to play the big shots.

Fuller, around off, Mohammad Rizwan pushes it towards mid on.

Beaten! That one gripped and turned. Bowled full and quick, just outside off, grips and turns away. Salman Agha hangs his bat out to defend but the ball rips past the outside edge.

Floated up again, on middle, goes straight on with the arm. Salman Agha goes forward to defend it right underneath his eyes.

Fuller and quicker, on the off stump, goes straight on. Salman Agha lunges to defend it firmly back towards the bowler.

Salman Agha walks in next at number 6, replacing Kamran Ghulam.

OUT! CAUGHT! Mindless batting and one brings two for the Proteas. Hard to say what was Kamran Ghulam thinking. Yes, he is a death-overs specialist, but he has not come in the final over. There is still some time left in the innings and this is certainly not a pitch where you can hit from the word go. Irrespective of how good a form you are in, you need to respect the game and Ghulam forgot that he is no longer playing in Cape Town. Flighted, around middle and off, Ghulam goes for a massive slog through the on side, getting nowhere near the pitch of the ball. He loses his shape and then his balance and the result is a massive leading edge. The ball hovers near cover and point and Temba Bavuma runs to his left from cover to take a good catch. What a great leveller this game is. Hero the other day, Ghulam, zero today. Pakistan slip from 208/2 to 209/4!

On middle, pushed down to long on for a single.

Outside off, fractionally short, Mohammad Rizwan looks to cut but misses.

Kamran Ghulam walks in next at number 5, replacing Saim Ayub. Was explosive in the previous game. Bjorn Fortuin returns as well. 7-0-38-0 so far.

OUT! CAUGHT BEHIND! MAIDEN international wicket for Bosch! He is thrilled to bits as he lets out a roar. Banged in short from around the wicket and gets the ball at chest height, at the batter, Saim Ayub sets himself up to play it fine towards deep fine leg by staying low. Gets into a tangle as the ball gets big on him and cramps him up for room. The ball lobs off his glove and goes only as far as Heinrich Klaasen behind the wicket who gobbles a dolly. The 93-run stand is broken. End of a special knock from Ayub - 101 (94). He walks off to a standing ovation. Pakistan are now 208/3 after 35 overs.

Pace taken off, fuller in length, at the stumps, Rizwan firms the drive wide of mid on and crosses over.

Outside off, on a good length, Rizwan opens the bat face and glides it down to backward point.

Around off, cutting back in, Saim Ayub tucks it through mid-wicket for a run.

Around off, pushed to the mid off region for a single.

SIX! CLUBBED! Corbin Bosch - not a single boundary conceded till 4.5. Now, he has conceded 2 in 2. A four on the previous and a six on this one. A length ball, outside off, Mohammad Rizwan joins in the fun, quickly gets into action and swings it over wide long on! 200 UP FOR PAKISTAN and we still have 77 balls left! This stand is worth 90 (70).

Superb effort! Markram serves a half tracker, way outside off and the turn takes it even further away. Saim reaches out and slaps it towards cover where Temba Bavuma dives to make the stop. The ball rolls away off his hand to his right but he is quick to get back up on his feet to prevent the single.

Drags the length back, attacking the front pad, full and turning in, on middle, Rizwan lunges and flicks it past mid-wicket for a run.

FOUR! Low full toss and it gets the treatment! Markram misses his mark as he ends up dishing out a low full toss, on middle, Rizwan stays low to make the connection and swipes it through mid-wicket for a boundary.

HUNDRED FOR SAIM AYUB! His third in ODIs! The second player from Pakistan after Fakhar Zaman to score two hundreds against South Africa, IN South Africa! Has been a tremendous innings, on a spicy pitch, with the new balls doing a bit. That too, at a good strike rate, which has gone upto 110 now. We have seen the drives, the pulls, the cuts and what not. From Pakistan's point of view, they will hope there is more to come. Gets to the landmark by cutting a short ball towards deep point for a single.

Shorter and quicker, around off, Mohammad Rizwan stays back and punches it towards point for a run.

Onto 99 now. Fuller, around middle and leg, Saim Ayub stays leg side of the ball and drives it towards long off for a single.

FOUR! Nicely done! Fractionally short, over middle and leg, Rizwan picks up the length early and sets himself up on the back foot. Pulls it all along the ground and beats the diving Kwena Maphaka at deep fine leg to his left for a boundary.

Swipe and a miss! Bosch bends his back and digs it in short. Gets the ball to climb onto the batter, outside off, Rizwan rises with the bounce and tries to flay it away but misses as the ball goes over his horizontal bat.

Angling into the left-hander, on a back of a length, Ayub waits on the back foot and makes use of the angle to help it down to deep fine leg. Moves to 98 does Saim.

On a good length, around off the skipper hops and chops the ball down to deep third for a single. That will bring Ayub on strike. On 97.

Fuller, around off, Rizwan drives it through the covers and gets a brace. The stand moves to 70 (59).

On a good length, outside off, Mohammad Rizwan punches it towards point.

Change of pace is the key for Aiden Markram. He usually bowls in the 90s but the moment he slows it down to 80 kph or roundabouts, he gets spin and drift. Corbin Bosch is back on. 4-0-17-0 so far,

At 94 kph, full and straight, at the stumps, Rizwan shows the full face of the bat and pushes it down to long on for one more.

Short and outside off, cut away to deep cover. Saim moves to 97 with this single.

Spinning back in sharply, on the quicker side, on a nagging length, on middle, Rizwan adjusts well to the turn and works it through square leg for a single.

Fuller, around off, Mohammad defends.

Slower and shorter, around middle, Rizwan nudges it towards short fine leg. Wants a single but is sent back. Aiden Markram is rushing through his overs here.

Fuller, around off, Mohammad Rizwan drives it back to the bowler.

DRINKS BREAK. In next to no time, this third-wicket stand has put the pressure back on South Africa. They were showing signs of coming back into the game with the wicket of Babar Azam, but Ayub, after riding a few nervous moments has shifted the pressure back. 16 overs are still left in the innings and with the short boundaries and a pitch getting better, we could easily see 300 getting crossed. 325 could be achieved, if the big hitters have their way.

Very full, near the tramline on off, Ayub tries to take it on the full and slice it behind square on the off side but misses.

Angling away, on a shortish length, on off, Rizwan drops it with soft hands on the off side and gets to the other end quickly.

FOUR! Quality shot! Jansen bangs it in short at the left shoulder of the batter, Rizwan gets on his toes and lifts his front leg while playing the pull. Hits it all along the ground to the left of deep fine leg for a boundary.

Risky, but lucky! Another short ball, outside off, Saim rides the bounce but nearly uppercuts it straight to deep third! The fielder is fine but the ball lands just in front. A single taken as SA gets to the other end to move to 96!

A short ball now and Ayub jumps onto the pull. The ball hits the inner half of the bat but still races through mid-wicket. Tony de Zorzi covers good ground to his right from deep square leg and dives to push the ball away. The batters take a couple but the umpires want to confirm whether it is a clean save. A couple of replays are checked and eventually, we can see that first, de Zorzi pushes the ball away and then makes contact with the ropes. 95 then, for Ayub.

SIX! How effective and stylish is that? Effortless to add to the adjectives. Marco Jansen straying down the leg side, attempting the cross-seam delivery, but overpitching it. Saim Ayub picks it up beautifully and plays a flamingo flick over deep square leg! Moves to 93 (84).

Pushed through, on a nagging length, on off, Rizwan gets behind the line to defend.

Short and around off, Ayub goes on the back foot and pulls it to the left of mid on for a single.

FOUR! Coming in from around the stumps, bowls it full and on the stumps, slower through the air. Saim Ayub lunges forward and sweeps hard towards square leg. The ball races towards the boundary in an instant.

Floated up, on the fuller side, on off, knocked down to long on for a single by Rizwan.

A decent amount of turn for Markram but this goes down leg, short and on the pads, Rizwan helps it down to short fine leg off the back foot.

Begins with a flighted delivery from over the wicket, full and on off, Rizwan gets a good stride in and taps it back to the bowler.

Comparing Saim Ayub's wagonwheel to the previous two ODIs and this one, in the first two matches, there was absolutely nothing down the ground. Absolutely nothing. 0 percent in the 'V'. But today, he has scored 34 percent of his runs down the ground, probably reacting to those fuller balls, as the bowlers were looking for swing. Earlier on, under overcast conditions, it might have been tricky to play the drives against the likes of Rabada and Jansen, but he has handled that really well. Aiden Markram comes in as the jugular from Bavuma. One suspects he will be targetted and that might lead to wickets.

FOUR! Short and wide and dealt accordingly. Banged in short, way outside off. Saim Ayub jumps up in the air while trying to reach it and cuts it well over the infield as it goes towards the deep cover region for another boundary.

On a good length, outside off. Saim Ayub drives it confidently towards mid on.

Fuller and on the leg stump. Mohammad Rizwan flicks it off his legs towards deep backward square leg for a single.

Angling across the right-hander, on a back of a length, Rizwan looks to use the pace and steer it down to deep third. Ends up chopping it down off the toe end of the bat. The ball dribbles in front of the keeper.

Sloppy! Jansen errs as he offers width on off, on a length, Ayub frees his arms and times the drive towards cover where the fielder stays low but the ball gets through his hands, allowing a single.

Jansen starts off a bit too straight, on a back of a length, on leg, Rizwan hops and gets inside the line to glance it down to deep fine leg for a single.

That's 30 in the last 2 overs now. Are Pakistan ready to put their foot on the accelerator? With the sun coming out, the conditions could get better for batting. 19 overs left and the visitors would be targetting somewhere around the 280-mark. And, we have a rainbow in the sky of the rainbow nation! Understandably. Temba Bavuma make a bowling change. He needs wickets. Marco Jansen returns. 5-0-20-0 so far.

FOUR! A show of strength this time around. Bowled full and outside off, turning in. Saim Ayub premeditates stepping out of the crease, converts it into a half volley and creams it past extra cover as it races towards the fence for another boundary.

FOUR! That is cheeky from Saim Ayub. Bowled full and on middle, slower through the air, turning away, Saim Ayub plants his foot outside the line and guides it towards deep fine leg. Kwena Maphaka covers a lot of ground, running towards that ball, puts in the dive but ends up in vain.

Quicker, flatter, outside off. Mohammad Rizwan makes room and looks to cut it but chops it down towards cover for a single.

In the air...but it lands safely! Slower through the air, full and on middle, Rizwan reaches out in front as he looks to unleash the slog sweep. Gets more height than distance on it but luckily for Rizwan, it lands in the vacant deep mid-wicket region. Two runs taken.

Sliding on with the arm, on a length, at the stumps, Rizwan gets his bat out in front to defend.

Fired in, at the pads, on a nagging length, flicked through square leg for one by Saim.

Talking about the darkness, from one side of the ground, there is still some blue sky. And adding to that, the sun has popped out too! Welcome!

FOUR! Half volley on the stumps and Mohammad Rizwan accepts gleefully. He gets on the front foot and punches it towards mid off beating both the fielder at mid on and mid off. Collects another boundary. 18 runs in that over and Kwena Maphaka's figures read 6-1-50-1!

Banged in short, directed towards the batter. Mohammad Rizwan is not able to get on top of it and ends up in an awkward position, fending at it, back down.

Goes short again, outside off. Saim Ayub gets on top of the bounce, takes him on and pulls it handsomely all along the ground, towards square leg. Tony de Zorzi runs across from deep mid-wicket to keep it down to just a single.

FOUR MORE! Gap picked to perfection! Not all that short by Maphaka, angling in, at the hips from around the wicket, Ayub makes use of the crease and uses the pace. Helps the pull away as he lifts his front leg and splits the fielders at deep fine leg and deep square leg for four more runs.

FOUR! Absolutely glorious! A scrambled seam delivery, on off, on a length, Saim Ayub presses on the front foot and does not try to overhit this one. Plays it right under his eyes and just punches it between cover and mid off for a boundary.

Some sawdust being sprinkled. It is not for the first time today and won't be for the last time either. That rain has made the landing area a bit treacherous for the fast bowlers and every now and then, we see bowlers sprinkling some sawdust on the landing area near the popping crease.

Wide! Comes from over the wicket for the left-hander and bangs it into the deck, around off. It goes over the batter's head for a wide.

Pace on this time, full and zeroing in at the stumps, Mohammad Rizwan gets his front pad out of the way quickly and whips it through mid-wicket. The fielder in the deep covers good ground to his left and cuts it off. Three runs taken.

Wide! Slips in the slower delivery from around the wicket but the line is down leg, Rizwan is early into the flick shot and he fails to get any bat on it.

Might not be a big thing right now, but South Africa have worked out a plan against Babar Azam. In the second ODI and even today, he has been dismissed playing the pull shot, both times getting caught at short mid-wicket.

Tossed up again, outside off. Mohammad Rizwan lines himself up for a sweep but ends up working it away towards long off for a single.

Quicker, flatter and on middle. Saim Ayub rocks back and taps it towards long on for a single.

Floated up, outside off, turning in. Saim Ayub leans on and drives it towards cover.

Darts it in again from around the wicket, full and on off, Rizwan gets on the front foot and eases the drive to long off for one.

Speared in, very full, at the toes, Rizwan gets his bat down in time and squeezes it out.

Tossed up, full and at the stumps, pushed back to Fortuin by Rizwan.

Overpitched on the stumps. Rizwan jams it down towards mid on for a quick single.

Banged in short, outside off, angling away. Mohammad Rizwan hops and jabs it from the crease to cover.

This stops in the wicket. Fuller and on middle, goes away just a slight bit. Mohammad Rizwan pushes at it but the ball comes on slower than he expected. He still manages to push it towards cover.

Better. Get down to the other end and calm your nerves. Fuller, around middle, Ayub works it through mid-wicket and takes the single.

No, no, no, Saim. Not expected from you. This is what a few dot balls can do to a batter, even in good form. On a good length, outside off, angling away, out of nowhere, Saim Ayub plays a monstrous-looking pull. It is not even a pull. It is a heave and thankfully for his team, he misses the line by a big margin. Massive loss in concentration.

Fuller, on middle, Saim Ayub looks to whip it away but misses. A bit of interest from the fielders for LBW but Heinrich Klaasen, the keeper, immediately signals that it was going down leg.

Quicker and shorter, outside off. Saim Ayub rocks back and pulls it in the air towards deep mid-wicket. The fielder stationed in the deep runs in and collects it on the bounce. The batters run through for a single.

Fuller and outside off, turning away. Mohammad Rizwan leans on and drives it towards long on for a single.

Beaten! Quicker and flatter, just outside off, turning away. Mohammad Rizwan has a fiddle at the delivery and gets beaten on the outside edge.

This time, the ball is punched past the left of the bowler, through mid on, for a single.

Quicker and flatter, around off, Ayub punches it towards the bowler.

Landed around off, slower in pace, Saim Ayub works it towards short mid-wicket.

This pitch still has plenty in it. Irrespective of how many Pakistan get, it will not be an easy chase for South Africa, especially given the conditions.

Back of a length, angling away. Mohammad Rizwan drops his hands at the last moment.

A loud appeal there from the bowler but dies down immediately. Full toss on the leg stump. Mohammad Rizwan is taken by surprise by the pace and the ball thuds onto the pads as the batter misses his flick. The bowler and the captain have a chat but decide against the review.

Full and outside off, angling away. Mohammad Rizwan tentatively pushes forward and manages to defend it back towards the bowler off the inside half of the bat.

The current skipper replaces the former skipper. Mohammad Rizwan walks in at number 4, replacing Babar Azam.

OUT! CAUGHT! The break works for South Africa! One thing which you cannot find in the supermarket is pace. This youngster has got plenty of it and he is just 18. A short ball alright and Babar Azam thinks he can pull it away. But the pace on the delivery makes the ball skid onto the bat. The pull shot is executed but the former skipper cannot quite control it and hence, cannot keep it down. It goes flat, but uppishly, towards David Miller at short mid-wicket who makes no mistake. The 114-run stand is broken, and Babar Azam departs for 52 (71). Pakistan are 115/2 after 22.3 overs.

Okay. That has hit Babar Azam then. Replay detects the ball hitting the bottom hand, on the glove. A kind of area which does not have protection. The physio is out in the middle but Babar is mostly ready.

The length is held back and it works wonders. Even after 22 overs, the balls have something in them. On a good length, around off, Azam looks to defend but the ball jags back in sharply, cramps him for room and hits him on the body.

Fuller, around off, Babar Azam drives it towards cover and yells out a loud 'NOOOO!' to his partner.

Short and wide outside off, goes straight on. Saim Ayub picks up the length in an instant and rocks back to cut it towards deep cover. Tony de Zorzi puts in a dive after putting in a sprint to his left and keeps it down to two.

Fuller again but outside off this time, turning away. Babar Azam drives it off the front foot, square of the wicket, towards point for a single.

Full and on middle, turning away. Babar Azam rocks on the front foot to defend it back towards the bowler.

Similar ball, slightly arrowing into the leg stump, Azam drives it towards the bowler.

Fuller, flatter and quicker, around off, Babar Azam defends.

Tossed up, around middle, Saim Ayub comes down the track and eases it down to long on for a single.

It has gone a bit darker again. The floodlights have been switched on right from the first over, but we hope that this is not a fresh band of rain.

FIFTY FOR BABAR! This has been a knock of the highest order from Babar and he will be looking to go on and get a three-figure score. Short and wide on off, Babar Azam stands tall and nails the pull through mid-wicket for a cracking boundary. Back-to-back fifties for Babar.

Pace taken off, on a back of a length, Saim Ayub runs it down to deep third with an open bat face for a single.

Looks to show intent there, does Saim Ayub by sneaking a quick run but is rightly sent back. Bowled fuller and outside off, nips in. Saim Ayub lunges and plays it with soft hands right underneath his eyes and is off for a quick single. The cover fielder comes charging in and the batter is immediately sent back by the non-striker.

Fuller, around off, Saim Ayub gets a good stride and drives it towards mid off.

WIDE! Third of the over but this is for height. Banged in way too short, around middle and goes well above the head of the batter.

Holds the length back a touch, does Maphaka, generates some away movement, Babar looks to push but gets it off the outer half of the bat, towards deep third. A single taken.

FOUR! AMAZING! What a way to bring up the 100-RUN STAND! Slightly fuller, outside off, Azam leans into the shot, gets to the pitch of the ball and plays one of his trademark shots - the cover drive. Just for a brief moment, Aiden Markram thought he was in with a chance at cover, as the ball was in the air for a bit. But that thought evaporated as soon as it got generated. Into the fence in a flash, went the ball.

ANOTHER WIDE. Carbon copy of the previous ball, only this time, there was a bit of a polite enquiry, mostly from the men behind the stumps. Nothing from the bowler or the umpire.

WIDE. Goes over the wicket, does Maphaka, but strays down the leg side. Babar Azam looks to flick but misses.

Pakistan upping the tempo slightly. They scored 42/1 in the first 10 overs, but have managed 56 in the next 10. Albeit, in the last 5 overs, the Proteas have slowed things down a little bit - only 20 in the last 5. Kwena Maphaka returns. 2-0-17-0 so far.

Slows it down now, fuller in length, on off, Babar Azam lunges and eases it down the deck. Bjorn Fortuin dives to his left but fails to cut it off. A single taken.

Flatter and quicker and the length stays short, on off, Babar Azam punches it off the back foot towards cover where Temba Bavuma is quick to get across to his left and prevents the single.

FOUR! Put away with ease! Way too short by Fortuin, a hint of away turn, around off, Babar Azam gets on the back foot in a flash and dispatches the pull over mid-wicket for a boundary. Moves to 41 with this shot.

Slower through the air this time, pushed back to the bowler.

Fuller and quicker, around off, well defended.

Around off, watchfully defended.

Looking at Corbin Bosch's built, he can make more use of the bouncer. If he can get good results from that length, he should use it, to surprise batters, getting the ball to lift from a length.

Fuller in length, around off, Saim Ayub presses forward to firm the drive back past the bowler. Fails to get the timing right and the ball dribbles back to the bowler. Saim admonishes himself after playing the shot.

A tighter line, on the off stump line, on a good length, Saim Ayub pushes it off the back foot to point.

Beaten! At 140 kph from around the wicket, on a back of a length, outside off, Saim's eyes light up as he sees the width on offer. Throws his hands at the delivery but misses as the ball kicks up just that bit to go over the horizontal bat of the batter.

Short and outside off, Azam punches it through point for a single.

Around off, pushed back down the pitch.

On a good length, outside off, coming in, Babar Azam looks to dab it towards deep third but the ball comes back in and cramps him for room. Takes the bottom edge and just about misses the stumps!

Saim Ayub can easily become one of Pakistan's greatest. But he will not be the first one to be talked about like this. Remember Imam'ul-Haq? He was touted as the next great too. Sometimes, it is about consistency but sometimes, it is also about selection. Many times, Pakistan management takes blunt calls and that could often douse the confidence of players. Say, for example, after three straight ducks in this series, you never know, Abdullah Shafique may not play an ODI for a while now. Hope that is not the case with Ayub and the selectors persist with him.

Darted in from around the wicket, full and on the pads, Babar Azam nurdles it in front of mid-wicket and takes a quick single.

Drags the length back but on a similar pace, on middle, Ayub goes deep in his crease and knocks it down to long on with a straight bat. They cross.

Looped up but the line is on the pads, Babar Azam wrists it in front of square leg for a single.

Much better from Fortuin. Slows it through the air, tosses the ball up, around middle, Babar looks to defend but the ball pitches, grips and then spins away. Takes the leading edge towards cover.

FOUR! A bit too fast and a bit too flat. Outside off, short in length, Azam goes back and has plenty of time to rock back and cut it to the right of short third.

Landed around off, moving away slightly, Babar Azam defends.

Having a chat with the groundstaff earlier in the day, their opinion was that the pitch is strong and hard. But because of the weather and the pitch being covered, a bit of moisture would aid the seamers for the first few overs. However, once the moisture eases out, batting will get easier.

On the fuller side, near the tramline on off, Babar Azam is made to reach out as he pushes it wide of cover for a single.

Wide! Way too short by Bosch, around off, Babar Azam lets it be. Wide given for height.

FIFTY FOR AYUB! The southpaw has looked a million dollars on this African safari. A match-winning ton in the opener and now a half century, which Ayub will be looking to convert into something bigger. A bit too straight from Bosch, on the pads, on a length, Saim Ayub clips it in front of mid-wicket and gets to his second ODI half century. Gets a hug from Babar. Saim raises his bat to acknowledge the applause from the dressing room.

Pitched up by Bosch, on off, Saim gets on the front foot and drives it to mid off.

Well, everyone is laughing out there, including Ayub. Only the batter who gets hit, knows how it feels. He is in pain, which cannot be cured by any medicine, unfortunately. The physio and the paramedics are coming out, but wonder why? From what we know, this will go only with time. Not with any medicine. Meanwhile, the umpires are calling for DRINKS. Another good batting display by Pakistan so far. They lost Shafique early but since then, Ayub and Babar have resurrected things nicely. However, irrespective of their bowling inexperience, one thing which has let down South Africa pretty badly in this series has been their fielding. They dropped 5 catches in the second ODI and today as well, Babar Azam was put down by Bjorn Fortuin on 10. Add to that, a few misfields are spreading through the team like an epidemic. The hosts need to pick themselves up. Back to the present, Ayub is ready now.

Ouch. That's hurt and trust me, no one can help. No one. Bosch has hit Ayub's box. That landed on a good length, outside off, Saim looked to help it to the leg side but the ball landed and jagged back in sharply, hitting the batter right on his unmentionables. He is down immediately.

Around middle and leg, Ayub works it straight to short mid-wicket.

Beautifully bowled. Corbin Bosch comes around the wicket and bowls it around off to Saim Ayub, who looks to flick. But then, from that angle, Bosch gets the ball to drift away, which induces a leading edge. The ball goes towards cover.

Yet another batting plan being executed well by Pakistan. They seem to have formed a blueprint for themselves in ODIs, which is to see off the new balls, not play too many aggressive shots, rotate the strike, keep wickets in hand and lay down a platform for the big hitters. This may not be the case for other teams, as others usually have plenty of big hitters. Hence, they keep on attacking the opposition bowlers. But as far as Pakistan are concerned, they may not look like a side which could post 350-plus, but with this strategy, they look good to cross 300 regularly and then defend it with their excellent bowling attack. Worked in Australia and seems to be working here as well.

Slower through the air but the length stays short, over middle, Saim Ayub goes on the back foot and punches it down to long on. Moves to 49 with this single.

Pushed through and it is another half tracker by Fortuin, outside off, Babar Azam slaps it along the ground to deep cover for a run.

Dropped short again by Fortuin, turning in from over the wicket, Saim Ayub rocks on the back foot quickly and whips it to deep mid-wicket for a single.

That is a poor length. Shorter than the previous one, Babar punches it through the covers, but finds sweeper. Just a single.

Outside off, just a tad short, Azam rocks back and cuts, but finds point.

Full, around off, Babar Azam comes forward and defends.

Looking at Corbin Bosch, he has got a very good, balanced action. Open-chested action, with the arm and front leg, well in sync. Also, the head does not move away while delivering the ball. He has got a good muscular built and that helps him to bowl a heavy ball. One critical thing about South Africa in this series has been lack of experience in their bowling. Today, Kagiso Rabada is playing, but if Bosch can get consistent, that fast-bowling arsenal gets strengthened further. Imagine - Rabada, Ngidi, Jansen, Dala and now Bosch. First look at spin. Bjorn Fortuin comes on to try and make amends for that dropped catch of Babar Azam earlier on.

Another instance of sloppy fielding by South Africa. Bowled back of a length, on leg stump, comes in slightly off the wicket. Saim Ayub stays inside his crease and tucks it off his hips towards deep fine leg for a brace. Ryan Rickelton with a show of greasy palms out there as the ball slips out of his hands in what should've been a regulation moment, apologizes immediately.

Drop and run from Babar Azam there. Bowled full and just on off stump. Babar Azam plays it with soft hands and defends it towards the off side and is off for a quick single.

WIDE! On a good length, swinging away and goes further away off the wicket as well. Called wide in the end.

Back of a length, on leg stump, nips in. Saim Ayub hops up and tucks it off his hips towards square leg for a single.

Wayward, way outside off and keeps going further off the wicket as well. That is deemed as a wide!

The debutant makes use of the deck again, on middle and leg, Babar Azam rises with the bounce and tucks it wide of mid-wicket for one.

Wide! Bosch goes short again but the line is down leg, Babar Azam lets it go. Wide given.

Oh, that was hit extremely hard! Width offered again, on a back of a length, Babar Azam slaps it hard on the bounce to backward point. Bjorn Fortuin gets his body behind the ball to make the stop. The ball hits him on the palm and it will sting in this cold weather. Babar will feel he missed out there.

Gets a good away shape does Bosch to this full delivery, outside off, Babar Azam shuffles across and initially thinks about making contact with the ball. In the end, decides to withdraw his bat and lets it go.

Full and on middle, goes straight on. Saim Ayub manages to get his bat down in time and work it away towards short mid on.

Much fuller this time, on middle, comes inward again. Saim Ayub attempts a similar shot but wears it on the pads this time.

Fuller and on off stump, nips in. Saim Ayub flicks it towards mid on.

Maphaka responds by banging into the deck, on off, Saim Ayub hangs on the back foot and gets on top of the bounce. Hits it to the right of deep mid-wicket for a couple of runs.

FOUR! Sumptuous! At 147 kph, full and honing in at the stumps, Saim Ayub presents a straight bat and a high elbow. Keeps his head still and just eases the drive to the right of mid on for a boundary.

Banged in short by Maphaka, outside off, Babar Azam waits on the back foot and drags the pull to the right of mid on. The ball does not have enough legs to reach the fence and the heavy outfield due to rain does not help either. Aiden Markram gives a good chase and slides to prevent the boundary. Three runs taken.

A good start from the debutant. A proud moment for the Bosch family. The members are sitting in the stands, eager to see the elder son go well. Younger brother Eathan Bosch is wearing a South African shirt, probably of the 1990 edition and is all glee as the camera flashes onto them.

Fuller this time and on the off stump, seams inward. Babar Azam gets on top of it and tucks it towards mid-wicket for a quick single.

Bowls it on a hard length, on off. Saim Ayub taps in on its head towards deep third to pick up an easy single.

Beaten! Bowled back of a length, on middle, nips away. Saim Ayub tries to poke at it as it whizzes past the outside edge.

Width on offer on off, on a good length, Babar Azam reaches out and pats it to the right of backward point for another single.

Going across the batter, on a back of a length, Saim Ayub opens the bat face and runs it down to deep third for one more.

The debutant starts with a full delivery from over the wicket, outside off, Babar Azam gets close to the line of the ball and drives it to deep cover for a single.

The first time that South Africa celebrated the Pink ODI to raise awareness about breast cancer, was way back in 2013. The pink clothing has been quite lucky for them, as in the last decade, they have lost ONLY TWICE - both while batting first - in successive years, 2019 to Pakistan and 2020 to England. They will be hoping to maintain the good run. Here comes the debutant - Corbin Bosch.

Overpitched way outside off. Saim Ayub tries to work it away towards cover but does not get the timing right and ends up digging it out back towards the bowler.

SIX! Not in control but Ayub gets away with it! Maphaka goes short, angling towards the batter. Saim Ayub swivels on one leg, looking to pull but there is extra bounce on the ball. It takes the top edge and fine leg is in contention, or he thinks so. But the ball flies over the fine leg boundary for a biggie! 50-RUN STAND IS UP, IN 69 BALLS!

Beaten! Jaffa! Full and outside off, nips away. Saim Ayub pokes at it but it sneaks past the outside edge.

Dug in short by Kwena, at the batter, Babar Azam presses on the back foot and jabs it in front of square on the leg side for a single.

Gets a good lift off the deck on this one does Maphaka, on a short of a length, over off, Babar Azam tries to cut it away but the ball gets a bit big on him. He adjusts well to the steep bounce and knocks it along the ground towards cover.

Starts from over the wicket and serves it on a good length, angling into the left-hander, Saim Ayub goes deep in his crease and wrists it in front of mid-wicket for a single.

Interesting observation by Shaun Pollock on air. He opines that with every year, South Africa's jersey colour for the 'Pink' ODI has kept on changing. For today's game, the colour of the cap is the same shade which was used initially, but the clothing's colour has grown darker significantly. Meanwhile, here is the first bowling change. Kwena Maphaka into the attack.

Bowled on a good length, outside off. Saim Ayub taps it towards backward point as the batters scamper for a single at the end.

FOUR! That was absolutely out of the top drawer from Saim Ayub. Bowled full and outside off, inviting the drive, nips away slightly. Saim Ayub obliges. Rocks on the front foot and drives it handsomely past the right of mid on. Temba Bavuma gives a chase but in vain.

Back of a length, just around that probing channel, nips away. Babar Azam prods at it, takes a healthy outside edge and flies past gully towards deep third for a single.

Sharp and quick bumper! Rabada bends his back and digs it in short, over off and middle, Babar Azam tries to take the short ball on but the ball climbs onto him and sails over his bat. Heinrich Klaasen leaps and collects it with his right glove. Temba Bavuma seemed to have heard something but got no support from the men behind the stumps.

On the fuller side, on off, Babar Azam is a bit tentative to get on the front foot. Half-heartedly pushes it with a straight bat. It rolls off the shoulder of the bat towards point.

In and around the off stump line, on a length, Babar Azam presses forward to defend. A hint of seam away results in the ball catching the outer half of the bat and it rolls towards backward point.

POWERPLAY 1 is done then. POWERPLAY 2 is slotted till the 38th over. South Africa struck early, as always has been the case throughout the ODI series, but Pakistan have kept on fighting back in every game. No different today. Could Saim Ayub be the answer to the question as to who could be Saeed Anwar's replacement?

Slanting in, at the stumps, on a length, Saim Ayub clips it straight to mid-wicket. Pakistan end Powerplay 1 on 42/1.

FOUR! Oh, sloppy work again at the deep backward square leg boundary by Kwena Maphaka. Goes short on this one, angled towards the batter. Saim Ayub swivels with the pull and guides it on its way towards the deep backward square leg fence  where Maphaka gets there by moving to his right but does not bend low enough and lets the ball get past him.

Slight appeal there from the slip cordon but of no real substance. Bowled full and on the off stump, nips in. Saim Ayub looks to tuck it off the hips, but instead wears it onto the pads.

MISFIELD, FOUR! Kwena Maphaka is the culprit. He is a good fielder, mind you. But, what a shot. Jansen goes short, to test the batter's footwork but Saim Ayub is ready. Quickly gets onto the back foot, swivels, shows nice extension of the arms, gets on top of the bounce and pulls it well in control, all along the ground, through square leg. Maphaka gets across to his right from fine leg and tumbles to his right, but then exhibits the London Bridge.

Fuller, just outside off, angling in, Ayub shows the full face of his bat and drives it solidly towards mid off.

This is outside off, easily left alone.

WIDE. A short ball, down the leg side, Saim Ayub looks to tuck it away but misses. Jansen starts to appeal for a caught behind, but gets no support from anyone.

Final over of Powerplay 1 then. Will we see a bowling change? Saw Bosch warming up. No change yet. Jansen continues.

Back of a length, on the stumps. Babar Azam defends it firmly back to the bowler.

Comes closer to the stumps this time, does Kagiso Rabada. Babar Azam stands tall, gets on top of the bounce, head over the ball and defends it back down.

Goes outside off this time that moves away a bit further, off the wicket. Babar Azam makes a watchful leave.

This one nips back in too. Comes in a long way and BA has no answer. Is late on the shot as he looks to defend and gets hit on the body.

FOUR! Sneaky peaky and Babar is lucky! How fortunate was that. On a good length, outside off, Azam looks to push at that one but then, tries to take his bat away from the line. Is late though and the ball nips back in, takes the inside edge and goes over the stumps, to the left of the keeper, to the fine leg fence!

Fuller, around off, swinging away, Babar Azam covers the line and the swing and pushes it towards mid off.

Back of a length, on middle, keeps coming in towards the batter off the wicket. Saim Ayub tucks it off his hips towards square leg.

Banged in short, angled towards the batter. Saim Ayub reads the short ball immediately and crouches down as he lets it go through.

Beaten! Bowled full and outside off, seams away. Saim Ayub lunges forward, and leans for the drive but the ball sneaks past the angled bat of Saim.

Nice... we are seeing a bit of blue in the skies now. Not quite sure what happened there. Saim Ayub has taken off his helmet and Babar Azam is walking towards him, for a chat. Nothing serious by the looks of it, as Ayub is just unfastening and fastening something, adjusting his helmet. Back to play.

On a good length, around off, angling in and then moving away, left alone.

A bit too straight, Azam turns it towards deep square leg, where Kagiso Rabada is present. Just a single.

Slightly short of full, outside off, angling away, Babar Azam has a needless poke at that and nearly edges it behind. Misses.

Play and a miss! Pulls back the length towards him does Kagiso Rabada. This one goes away off the wicket as Saim Ayub looks to punch it on the rise but the ball whizzes past the outside edge.

Carbon copy of the previous delivery! Full and outside off, nips away. Saim Ayub lets it go through.

That moved away big time, off the wicket. Bowled fuller and just outside off, angling away. Saim Ayub gets his hands away from the line of the ball and lets it go through.

FOUR! SWEET! Really, what does a tour of Australia do to people? This bloke was in all sorts just a couple of months back. And then, one good tour Down Under and all the lack of confidence has evaporated. Slightly overpitched, around off, Ayub comes forward, this time shows the full face of the bat and drives it straight back to his partner. Babar Azam gets out of the way at the non-striker's end and the ball rockets down to the long off fence.

On a good length, around off, angling away, left alone.

FOUR! That is well played. On a length, around middle and leg, Saim Ayub walks across a fraction, but keeps his head still. Trusts the bounce and his technique, waits for the ball to arrive and presents nearly a straight bat face. The ball rockets to the left of mid on and Tony de Zorzi did not have a chance, despite a sprawling dive.

Fuller and outside off, angling away. Babar Azam lunges and shoulders arms.

Goes short again, nips away just that slight bit. Babar Azam gets his hands high up and defends it back down dead onto the ground.

Pitched on a back of a length, on middle, nips away, opens up Babar Azam but he stands tall and defends it back down.

DROPPED! Not an easy one, but what's up with South Africa? As many as 5 catches put down in the second ODI and now, they have put one down pretty early in the game. Beautiful ball, angling away from the right hander on a fuller length and making the batter drive. Babar Azam reached out for it and spooned it off the face of his bat, way away from the ball. Bjorn Fortuin at point threw himself to his right but could not quite hang on. Two runs taken. This could prove costly for the Proteas.

Down the leg side, helped towards fine leg for a single.

It's raining again. But the umpires are hanging on for now. Hopefully, it is a passing shower. Oh hang on. Pommie Mbangwa on air informs us is that it is just water dripping off the roof.

On a good length, around off, Saim Ayub rises with the bounce and punches it towards Tony de Zorzi at point.

Short and wide on off, Babar Azam stays on the back foot and cuts it down onto the ground. It goes on the bounce to the man at backward point.

Bold leave! On a nagging length, a hint of nip back in off the wicket, on top of off, Babar Azam trusts the bounce of the surface and holds his bat high up to make the leave.

Rabada lands it on a length, outside off, Babar Azam goes for the big booming drive but the bat turns in his hand at the point of impact. Miscues the shot towards mid off.

Direct hit, drama but Ayub is well in. Good cricket all around. On middle and leg, Ayub works it through mid-wicket and sets off for a quick single. Short mid-wicket gets across to his right, picks it up and has a shy at the bowler's end in one go and hits the stumps. But while the crowd gets excited, the umpires are pretty calm. Don't even take it upstairs. Replay shows why. Comfortably in, was Saim.

Similar ball, slightly wider, this is let through.

Now Rabada is right on target as well. From the end where KG is bowling, it seems darker. Maybe, that dark band of clouds is from this end. On a good length, around middle, angling away, Saim Ayub looks to defend but is comprehensively beaten by the away movement.

Jansen goes into the wicket again, on off and middle, Babar Azam hangs on the back foot and presents a straight bat to stab it down the deck.

FOUR! Short and punished! Jansen bangs it into the deck, over off, Babar Azam gets on his toes and rolls his wrists over the ball to control the shot. Jabs it through square leg for a boundary.

Sliding onto the pads, on a length, Babar Azam tucks it off the front foot to mid-wicket.

Nicely played, but careful there, Corbin Bosch! First look at the outfield and it is really slippery. That also means that every time the ball goes on the outfield, it will return with a lot of wetness. Half volley, on middle, Babar flicks it through mid on, to his right. Bosch chases after it from mid on, gets to the ball, but while looking to slide and push it back to the fielder backing up from short mid-wicket, he slips and misses the ball. He recovers in time though, to save the boundary, flashing a nervous smile. Two runs taken. Bosch is making his international debut today. There would be butterflies.

Right on the money. Full and straight, Azam defends.

The players are back onto the field. I am not a great reader of the weather, but my personal feeling is that the conditions seem slightly better than what they were when the match began. Not that my eyesight is the greatest either. The Powerplays have been reduced to 10, 28 and 9 respectively. Only 2 bowlers can bowl a maximum of 10 overs and only 3 bowlers can bowl a maximum of 9 overs. Here's Jansen.

Meanwhile, in Vadodara, the day keeps getting better for Renuka Singh Thakur, as she picks up her maiden Michelle in ODIs. With the score reading 66/8, the Windies are on track to register their BIGGEST LOSS in ODI history, in terms of runs. India Women's biggest victory by runs was by 249, against Ireland in 2017, so that has been avoided by the visitors.

So after roughly 75 minutes of no play, the officials have cut short 6 overs. If you are wondering why ONLY those many reduced, that is because, in a day/night game, we have an allowance of an hour. Given that we lost 15 minutes at the start and now 75, deducting 60 from that, means we have roughly lost 30 minutes. Hence that number to reduce the overs. The forecast keeps being grim and for a result, we need AT LEAST 20 overs in the second innings. All we can do is hope for the best.

UPDATE - 1.32 pm GMT - This contest has now been reduced to 47 overs per side. We have had two delays so far, but given the forecast, it seems unlikely that we will not face any more rain interruptions. Let’s hope for the best!

UPDATE - 1.20 pm GMT - Great news! The rain has subsided and the covers are coming off. Right then, this was quick - we have a restart time. Play is set to resume at 1.45 pm GMT. We await the official confirmation regarding the revised conditions. Stick around!

It is raining in Jo'burg and it is raining in Vadodara as well. The only difference is - in the latter case, it is raining wickets. After conceding a mammoth 314 against India Women, in reply, West Indies Women are tottering at 34/6 after 13 overs, in the first of 3 ODIs. Renuka Singh Thakur has caused a riot with the new ball, picking up 4/16 in 7 overs and the hapless Windies have had no answers. Earlier, riding on a solid 91 by Smriti Mandhana and a solid show by their top order, the Indian Eves crossed 300 for the 6th time in ODIs, and for the second time this year, after making 325/3 against South Africa Women in Bengaluru in June. Given that the next World Cup of Women will be a 50-over one and be hosted by India in 2025, the hosts are looking in good shape to try and win their maiden trophy in this format.

UPDATE - 12.53 pm GMT - It is still raining steadily, and the square remains covered. Even as the rain continues, the Super Sopper is in action, ensuring that once it stops, we get a quick turnaround. Stay tuned for more news.

UPDATE - 12.30 pm GMT - Oh dear. A drizzle began and now it has intensified. Pretty heavy to make the umpires take the players off. The umbrellas are opening in the stands as well. It does not look that heavy as of now, but a big band of dark clouds is approaching the venue. Hopefully, this is just a passing shower. One good thing is that there is a good breeze blowing across. So the clouds might just get blown away.

On a good length, around off, moves away late, Babar Azam is squared up but manages to push it away.

Just trying to dissect Abdullah Shafique in this series. It has been a forgetful one for him but credit to South Africa for working him out. They have kept the line consistently around that off stump and got the ball to move away late. For a batter who has an exemplary technique, Shafique has been very tentative against the new balls, perhaps thinking in his mind to watch out the passage. That tentativeness means that he has not been sure where his feet should be. He has neither been forward nor back and kept on missing the balls.

A loose shot but Saim gets away with it! Rabada hurls a full delivery, outside off, Saim Ayub is lured into the drive as he leans into the shot. Gets beaten on the outside edge.

Brings the line closer to the off stump and gets the ball to jag back in a bit, on a good length, Saim Ayub knows where his off stump is as he shoulders arms.

Angling away from the left-hander, on a length, a bit wider this time, Saim Ayub makes an easy leave.

The length is held back now, outside off, Ayub is in two minds whether to play at it or not. He commits into the shot half-heartedly but at the last moment, tries to stop his bat. Is late and the ball just whizzes past the outside edge.

FOUR! SUBLIME! We have seen that a few times during the course of this series. Rabada floats the ball outside off, inviting the drive and Saim Ayub obliges. Gets forward, reaches out and drives it between cover and point.

On a good length, around middle and leg, Saim Ayub tucks it towards short mid-wicket.

Goes fuller on this occasion, outside off, a tempter for the batter to go for the drive. Babar resists and offers no shot.

Another one that is pushed across the right-hander by Jansen, Babar Azam is happy to let it go.

Stays over the wicket for the right-hander and gets the ball to go across, on a length, Babar Azam lets it be.

Outside off, Saim looks to punch it through the covers but the late movement means that the bat turns a bit. The ball still runs off the face of the bat behind point where the fielder does well. A single taken.

Similar line and length, perhaps a tad closer to the off stump. Ayub holds his bat inside the line.

There is that shape. Jansen slants this one from over the wicket, into the left hander and then gets it to move away. Saim Ayub lets it pass.

Marco Jansen will bowl from the other end. He has got the ball to shape a little bit throughout the series.

Babar Azam gets off the mark in some style! A third slip gets added but Rabada drags the length back and offers width on off, Babar stands tall and gets on top of the bounce. Rolls his wrists to cut this all along the ground. Gets it through covers for a boundary.

In that probing line again, just outside off and the length stays full, Babar Azam presses forward and shoulders arms.

A hint of away shape, on the fuller side, in the channel on off, Babar Azam makes a watchful leave.

Fractionally short outside off, but not that wide. Babar Azam looks to hammer this through the off side, sans any feet movement and misses.

Babar Azam walks in next at number 3, replacing Abdullah Shafique.

OUT! EDGED AND GONE! Is that a replay of the second ODI? No, the screen says LIVE. We are in the present! It is a wicket! Dear me, what does Shafique need to do to get back amongst the runs? His horror show continues. Rabada does not waste much time in finding his mark. Lands it on a good length, just around off. Abdullah Shafique is forced to play at that due to the angle and to his credit, he does not go full-hearted. He plays with soft hands, inside the line of the ball, but the ball comes in with the angle, then straightens and then takes the outside edge, just as Shafique looks to withdraw his bat. Too late. The edge is found on the outside and the ball flies towards the slips, where Aiden Markram gets low to his left from second slip to take it in front of first slip. A golden duck for Abdullah Shafique and Pakistan are 1/1 after 0.2 overs!

On a good length, around middle, Saim Ayub works it through square leg for a single.

All set for the game to begin. What a change a day makes. Till last night, the forecast was bright and sunny for the 'Pink' ODI. Now, it's murky and overcast. If the latest forecast is to be believed, then there will no more rain till 8 pm GMT. If that is the case, we should get all the 100 overs in. But looking at the heavens, it seems very hard to believe that we will not have interruptions. Still, let's keep our fingers crossed and hope we won't need DLS tonight. The Pakistan openers make their way out to the middle - Saim Ayub and Abdullah Shafique. The 'Pink' team is already out in its positions. It will be Kagiso Rabada to kick things off, against Ayub. Here we go!

Pakistan (Playing XI) - Saim Ayub, Abdullah Shafique, Babar Azam, Mohammad Rizwan (C/WK), Tayyab Tahir (In for Irfan Khan), Kamran Ghulam, Salman Agha, Shaheen Afridi, Naseem Shah, Mohammad Hasnain (In for Haris Rauf), Sufiyan Muqeem (In for Abrar Ahmed).

South Africa (Playing XI) - Tony de Zorzi, Temba Bavuma (C), Rassie van der Dussen, Aiden Markram, Heinrich Klaasen (WK), David Miller, Marco Jansen, Corbin Bosch (On debut) (In for Andile Phehlukwayo), Bjorn Fortuin, Kagiso Rabada (In for Tabraiz Shamsi), Kwena Maphaka.

TOSS - South Africa have won the toss and they will BOWL first.

UPDATE - 11.45 am GMT - Positive signs! It has stopped raining and the covers are coming off. The players are out there, indulging in warm-ups. We have a start time confirmed - TOSS to take place at 12 pm GMT with the first ball to be bowled at 12.15 pm GMT.

UPDATE - 11.32 am GMT - Well, the news from the Wanderers isn’t great. It is currently drizzling, and the covers are on. As a result, the flip of the coin has been DELAYED. Stick around for further updates.

As for Pakistan, their commanding 81-run victory in Cape Town on Thursday secured their third consecutive ODI series win under Mohammad Rizwan’s white-ball captaincy. Among their top six batters, all except Abdullah Shafique have made meaningful contributions in the series. Shafique finding form will be crucial for his confidence going into the Test series. Unfortunately, the weather in Johannesburg is a bit iffy, with intermittent showers expected. Let's keep our fingers crossed and hope for the best. Stick around for the toss and team news.

Turning our focus back to this series - starting with South Africa, this will be their final ODI before the Champions Trophy. Over the past two games, their batting unit has struggled to convert starts into substantial contributions, with Heinrich Klaasen emerging as the lone standout performer. On the bowling front, South Africa’s pace bowling resources have taken a hit, with Ottniel Baartman ruled out due to a right knee injury. Given this, the team may tread carefully with key pacers Kagiso Rabada and Marco Jansen, especially with the Test series set to begin on the 26th of this month. 

For those curious about the uncertainty surrounding the event’s venue, a resolution has finally been reached. India’s matches at the Champions Trophy, including the semifinal and final (if they qualify), will now be played at a neutral venue. This arrangement, part of the broader 2024-27 cycle agreement, will see all matches involving India in events hosted by Pakistan be held at neutral venues, with the same arrangement applying to matches involving Pakistan in events hosted by India.

Hello, everyone! Pink Day is here, and as always, it’s a special occasion in South Africa’s cricket calendar. The Proteas will don their iconic pink jerseys to raise awareness about breast cancer, making it a game with purpose beyond the field. While Pakistan may already have sealed the series 2-0, don’t be mistaken - this is far from a dead rubber, especially with the Champions Trophy on the horizon.

... MATCH DAY ...

The countdown to the Champions Trophy 2025 is on, and Pakistan is making waves as one of the most consistent ODI teams! Fresh from a dominant run, the Men in Green have notched up their third consecutive away series win, beating South Africa in back-to-back games after victories against Australia and Zimbabwe. The resurgence of Babar Azam has been a massive boost, but it's the consistency of Saim Ayub and Mohammad Rizwan that has been the backbone of Pakistan’s success. Their batting approach is methodical, with the top order anchoring the innings till the 30th over before the likes of Kamran Ghulam and Irfan Khan unleash fireworks at the death. But let’s not forget Pakistan’s lethal bowling attack - a hallmark of their dominance. Shaheen Afridi, Naseem Shah, and Haris Rauf have been devastating with pace, reverse swing, and pinpoint accuracy. Salman Agha has been a silent hero, contributing with both bat and ball, while Abrar Ahmed has spun a web around South Africa with his mesmerizing variations. For the Proteas, it’s been a series to forget. While Heinrich Klaasen stood tall as a lone warrior in the last game, narrowly missing out on a century, others like Temba Bavuma, Aiden Markram, and Rassie van der Dussen need to shake off their T20 mindset and deliver big scores. David Miller’s return adds experience, but South Africa’s inability to convert starts into match-winning performances is glaring. On the bowling front, young debutant Kwena Maphaka impressed with four wickets despite being a tad expensive, while Marco Jansen’s struggles at the death remain a concern. To be fair, they have rested key bowlers for the Test series with a spot in the WTC final up for grabs. The spin duo of Tabraiz Shamsi and Bjorn Fortuin needs to find breakthroughs in the middle overs, and perhaps Kagiso Rabada’s return could strengthen their attack. Can South Africa salvage some pride and avoid the whitewash? Or will Pakistan complete a sensational 3-0 sweep? All eyes are on the decider!