All in readiness for the chase to commence.

... THE RUN CHASE ...

For a change, we can say the weather is looking good. Now, about the pitch. It is looking a belter but you need to spend some time on it before playing your shifts. Additionally, there is some grip and turn for the spinners and spin has been an achilles heel for South Africa in this series. Maybe, given that this is Jo'burg where chasing is considered the norm, all the hosts might want to do is just check what happened on 12th March, 2006. Might serve as a good inspiration to avoid the whitewas

Cannot say that the bowling was totally inexperienced today, with Kagiso Rabada lending a shoulder to Marco Jansen. The duo did snare 5 wickets between themselves but most of those came towards the end when Pakistan were set to redefine harakiri. Bjorn Fortuin started poorly but managed two wickets in the end while Corbin Bosch, after a good start in his first spell, and getting the big wicket of Saim Ayub, just withered away. Not to mention - the fielding. It was not as bad as the second

South Africa will be disappointed with their bowling effort. Could be only me but it does seem like for the past few months, their focus has only been on trying to qualify for the World Test Championship final. While that is a big thing in itself given that they are almost there, having one leg in, the repercussions are that the pther formats are suffering. Main players are being rested with the Test series coming up later and because of that, the bowling looks inexperienced. 

Saim Ayub says that it is a special feeling whenever you score big and it becomes even more special when the knock comes in a team's win. Mentions that the score that they have got on the board is a collective effort of everyone. When asked if he feels that they have got enough runs, he says that this is a challenging total and he backs his bowlers to defend this total.

Pakistan were 208/2 in the 34th over, but then slipped to 223/5 in 4 overs, as the new batters did not apply themselves. At that time, there was a danger of an underpar score, but Salman Agha brought on his form from Australia here and ensured that the tourists get to 300 at least. It does look like a nice scorecard, with 4 out of the top 6 batting well, 2 getting starts while the remaining two, not wasting opportunities. Ayub showed how important it can be if a set batter stays for long and

Another classic 90-style batting by Pakistan. Start slowly, keep wickets in hand, then accelerate as the innings progresses. They lost Abdullah Shafique early but the 114-run stand between Saim Ayub and Babar Azam put them back on track. And then, that was followed further by a 93-run stand between Ayub and Mohammad Rizwan. It was after Ayub's wicket though, that the visitors lost their way slightly.

Well, it is a big score but given by how the last few overs unfolded, one can't help but think that South Africa will be the happier side at the break. From 297/5, the visitors managed just 4/11 in the last 8 balls. It is still a good pitch and what could have been 325-330, has been cut short by 20-odd runs.

Marco Jansen to Naseem Shah, 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!

Marco Jansen to Naseem Shah, ! 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, 3 balls left for Naseem to do something.

Marco Jansen to Sufiyan Muqeem, Bye.

Marco Jansen to Mohammad Hasnain, ! c David Miller b Marco Jansen.

Marco Jansen to Mohammad Hasnain, Four!

Who walks in next?

Marco Jansen to Tayyab Tahir, ! CAUGHT AND BOWLED! How shall we desribe this? Can we call it a giraffe plucking an apple from the tree?

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.

Marco Jansen to Tayyab Tahir, Wide!

Kagiso Rabada to Shaheen Afridi, ! c Rassie van der Dussen b Kagiso Rabada.

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

Kagiso Rabada to Salman Agha, ! c Rassie van der Dussen b Kagiso Rabada.

Kagiso Rabada to Salman Agha, Well, what's that about? 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.

Kagiso Rabada to Tayyab Tahir, Around off, wristed through mid on for a single.

Kagiso Rabada to Tayyab Tahir, ! Well, Tahir wants to join in on the fun! The boundaries keep on coming for Pakistan.

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.

Kagiso Rabada to Tayyab Tahir, No run.

Corbin Bosch to Salman Agha, 2 runs.

Corbin Bosch to Salman Agha, Six!

Corbin Bosch to Salman Agha, 2 runs.

Corbin Bosch to Salman Agha, ! Agha connects and connects well this time!

Corbin Bosch to Salman Agha, 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.

Corbin Bosch to Tayyab Tahir, 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.

Kagiso Rabada to Salman Agha, 2 runs.

Kagiso Rabada to Salman Agha, Four!

Kagiso Rabada to Tayyab Tahir, 1 run.

Kagiso Rabada to Salman Agha, 1 run.

Kagiso Rabada to Salman Agha, ! 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 45.

Kagiso Rabada to Tayyab Tahir, 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.

Corbin Bosch to Salman Agha, No run.

Corbin Bosch to Salman Agha, Wide!

Corbin Bosch to Salman Agha, Four!

Corbin Bosch to Tayyab Tahir, 1 run.

Corbin Bosch to Tayyab Tahir, No run.

Corbin Bosch to Tayyab Tahir, ! 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 right 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.

Corbin Bosch to bowl again. 7-0-42-1 so far.

Corbin Bosch to Tayyab Tahir, No run.

Marco Jansen to Salman Agha, No run.

Marco Jansen to Salman Agha, Wide!

Marco Jansen to Salman Agha, 2 runs.

Marco Jansen to Salman Agha, 2 runs.

Marco Jansen to Tayyab Tahir, 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.

Marco Jansen to Tayyab Tahir, 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.

Marco Jansen to Salman Agha, 1 run.

Change.

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

Kagiso Rabada to Tayyab Tahir, 1 run.

Kagiso Rabada to Tayyab Tahir, 2 runs.

Kagiso Rabada to Tayyab Tahir, No run.

Kagiso Rabada to Tayyab Tahir, A loud shout for LBW but turned down!

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

Kagiso Rabada to Salman Agha, Leg bye.

Bjorn Fortuin to Tayyab Tahir, Six!

Bjorn Fortuin to Salman Agha, 1 run.

Bjorn Fortuin to Salman Agha, 2 runs.

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

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

Bjorn Fortuin to Salman Agha, No run.

Kagiso Rabada to Tayyab Tahir, No run.

Kagiso Rabada to Tayyab Tahir, No run.

Kagiso Rabada to Tayyab Tahir, No run.

Kagiso Rabada to Tayyab Tahir, 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.

Kagiso Rabada to Tayyab Tahir, No run.

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

Who walks in next?

Bjorn Fortuin to Mohammad Rizwan, ! c Kagiso Rabada b Bjorn Fortuin.

Bjorn Fortuin to Salman Agha, 1 run.

Bjorn Fortuin to Salman Agha, Wide!

Bjorn Fortuin to Salman Agha, No run.

Bjorn Fortuin to Mohammad Rizwan, 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.

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

Bjorn Fortuin to Salman Agha, 2 runs.

Corbin Bosch to Salman Agha, 1 run.

Corbin Bosch to Mohammad Rizwan, 1 run.

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

Corbin Bosch to Mohammad Rizwan, Outside off, steered towards deep third for a single.

Corbin Bosch to Mohammad Rizwan, ! That has been hit beautifully.

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

Bjorn Fortuin to Salman Agha, Beaten! That one gripped and turned. 

Bjorn Fortuin to Salman Agha, No run.

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

Who walks in next?

Bjorn Fortuin to Kamran Ghulam, ! CAUGHT! Mindless batting and one brings two for the Proteas.

Bjorn Fortuin to Mohammad Rizwan, 1 run.

Bjorn Fortuin to Mohammad Rizwan, 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.

Corbin Bosch to Saim Ayub, ! CAUGHT BEHIND! MAIDEN international wicket for Bosch!

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

Corbin Bosch to Mohammad Rizwan, No run.

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

Corbin Bosch to Mohammad Rizwan, 1 run.

Corbin Bosch to Mohammad Rizwan, Six!

Aiden Markram to Saim Ayub, No run.

Aiden Markram to Mohammad Rizwan, 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.

Aiden Markram to Mohammad Rizwan, ! Low full toss and it gets the treatment!

Aiden Markram to Saim Ayub, CONSECUTIVE HUNDREDS FOR SAIM AYUB! The first player from Pakistan to do so against South Africa, that too, 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

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

Aiden Markram to Saim Ayub, 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.

Corbin Bosch to Mohammad Rizwan, ! 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.

Corbin Bosch to Mohammad Rizwan, Swipe and a miss!

Corbin Bosch to Saim Ayub, 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.

Corbin Bosch to Mohammad Rizwan, 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.

Corbin Bosch to Mohammad Rizwan, 2 runs.

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,

Corbin Bosch to Mohammad Rizwan, No run.

Aiden Markram to Mohammad Rizwan, 1 run.

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

Aiden Markram to Mohammad Rizwan, 1 run.

Aiden Markram to Mohammad Rizwan, Fuller, around off, Mohammad defends.

Aiden Markram to Mohammad Rizwan, 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.

Aiden Markram to Mohammad Rizwan, No run.

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. 17 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.

Marco Jansen to Saim Ayub, 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.

Marco Jansen to Mohammad Rizwan, 1 run.

Marco Jansen to Mohammad Rizwan, ! 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.

Marco Jansen to Saim Ayub, Risky, but lucky!

Marco Jansen to Saim Ayub, A short ball now and Ayub jumps onto the pull.

Marco Jansen to Saim Ayub, ! How effective and stylish is that? Effortless to add to the adjectives.

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

Aiden Markram to Saim Ayub, 1 run.

Aiden Markram to Saim Ayub, Four!

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

Aiden Markram to Mohammad Rizwan, No run.

Aiden Markram to Mohammad Rizwan, No run.

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.

Marco Jansen to Saim Ayub, Four!

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

Marco Jansen to Mohammad Rizwan, On the pads, on a length, flicked away to deep backward square leg for a single by Rizwan.

Marco Jansen to Mohammad Rizwan, 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 off the toe end of the bat. The ball dribbles in front of the keeper.

Marco Jansen to Saim Ayub, 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.

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.

Marco Jansen to Mohammad Rizwan, 1 run.

Bjorn Fortuin to Saim Ayub, Four!

Bjorn Fortuin to Saim Ayub, Four!

Bjorn Fortuin to Mohammad Rizwan, 1 run.

Bjorn Fortuin to Mohammad Rizwan, In the air...but it lands safely!

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

Bjorn Fortuin to Saim Ayub, 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!

Kwena Maphaka to Mohammad Rizwan, Four!

Kwena Maphaka to Mohammad Rizwan, No run.

Kwena Maphaka to Saim Ayub, 1 run.

Kwena Maphaka to Saim Ayub, 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.

Kwena Maphaka to Saim Ayub, ! 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.

Kwena Maphaka to Saim Ayub, 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.

Kwena Maphaka to Mohammad Rizwan, 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.

Kwena Maphaka to Mohammad Rizwan, 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.

Bjorn Fortuin to Mohammad Rizwan, 1 run.

Bjorn Fortuin to Saim Ayub, 1 run.

Bjorn Fortuin to Saim Ayub, No run.

Bjorn Fortuin to Mohammad Rizwan, 1 run.

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

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

Kwena Maphaka to Mohammad Rizwan, 1 run.

Kwena Maphaka to Mohammad Rizwan, No run.

Kwena Maphaka to Mohammad Rizwan, That one stops after coming off the wicket. 

Kwena Maphaka to Saim Ayub, 1 run.

Kwena Maphaka to Saim Ayub, No, no, no, Saim. Not expected from you.

Kwena Maphaka to Saim Ayub, 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.

Bjorn Fortuin to Saim Ayub, 1 run.

Bjorn Fortuin to Mohammad Rizwan, 1 run.

Bjorn Fortuin to Mohammad Rizwan, No run.

Bjorn Fortuin to Saim Ayub, This time, the ball is punched past the left of the bowler, through mid on, for a single.

Bjorn Fortuin to Saim Ayub, Quicker and flatter, around off, Ayub punches it towards the bowler.

Bjorn Fortuin to Saim Ayub, No run.

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.

Kwena Maphaka to Mohammad Rizwan, No run.

Kwena Maphaka to Mohammad Rizwan, No run.

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

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

Kwena Maphaka to Babar Azam, ! CAUGHT! The break works for South Africa!

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 a protection. The physio is out in the middle but Babar is mostly ready.

Kwena Maphaka to Babar Azam, The length is held back and it works wonders. Even after 22 overs, the balls have something in them.

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

Bjorn Fortuin to Saim Ayub, 2 runs.

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

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

Bjorn Fortuin to Babar Azam, Similar ball, slightly arrowing into leg stump, Azam drives it towards the bowler.

Bjorn Fortuin to Babar Azam, No run.

Bjorn Fortuin to Saim Ayub, 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.

Kwena Maphaka to Babar Azam, Four!

Kwena Maphaka to Saim Ayub, 1 run.

Kwena Maphaka to Saim Ayub, No run.

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

Kwena Maphaka to Saim Ayub, Wide!

Kwena Maphaka to Babar Azam, 1 run.

Kwena Maphaka to Babar Azam, ! AMAZING! What a way to bring up the 100-RUN STAND!

Kwena Maphaka to Babar Azam, 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.

Kwena Maphaka to Babar Azam, Wide!

Pakistan upping the tempo slightly. They scored 42/1 in the first 10 overs, but have managed 56 in the next 10.

Bjorn Fortuin to Babar Azam, 1 run.

Bjorn Fortuin to Babar Azam, No run.

Bjorn Fortuin to Babar Azam, ! 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.

Bjorn Fortuin to Babar Azam, No run.

Bjorn Fortuin to Babar Azam, No run.

Bjorn Fortuin to Babar Azam, No run.

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.

Corbin Bosch to Saim Ayub, No run.

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

Corbin Bosch to Saim Ayub, No run.

Corbin Bosch to Babar Azam, Short and outside off, Azam punches it through point for a single.

Corbin Bosch to Babar Azam, Around off, pushed back down the pitch.

Corbin Bosch to Babar Azam, 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?

Bjorn Fortuin to Babar Azam, 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.

Bjorn Fortuin to Saim Ayub, 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.

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

Bjorn Fortuin to Babar Azam, No run.

Bjorn Fortuin to Babar Azam, Four!

Bjorn Fortuin to Babar Azam, No run.

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.

Corbin Bosch to Babar Azam, 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.

Corbin Bosch to Babar Azam, Wide!

Corbin Bosch to Saim Ayub, FIFTY FOR AYUB!  The southpaw has looked like a million dollar 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!

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, i

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

Corbin Bosch to Saim Ayub, Ouch. That's hurt and trust me, no one can help. No one. Bosch has hit Ayub's box.

Corbin Bosch to Saim Ayub, No run.

Yet another batting plan being executed well by Pakistan. They seem to have formed a blueprint for themselves in ODIs, which is too 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 other 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 po

Corbin Bosch to Saim Ayub, 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.

Bjorn Fortuin to Saim Ayub, 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.

Bjorn Fortuin to Babar Azam, 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.

Bjorn Fortuin to Saim Ayub, 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.

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

Bjorn Fortuin to Babar Azam, No run.

Bjorn Fortuin to Babar Azam, No run.

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 - Rabad

Corbin Bosch to Saim Ayub, 2 runs.

Corbin Bosch to Babar Azam, 1 run.

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

Corbin Bosch to Saim Ayub, 1 run.

Corbin Bosch to Saim Ayub, Wide!

Corbin Bosch to Babar Azam, 1 run.

Corbin Bosch to Babar Azam, Wide!

Corbin Bosch to Babar Azam, Oh, that was hit extremely hard!

Corbin Bosch to Babar Azam, 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.

Kwena Maphaka to Saim Ayub, No run.

Kwena Maphaka to Saim Ayub, No run.

Kwena Maphaka to Saim Ayub, No run.

Kwena Maphaka to Saim Ayub, 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.

Kwena Maphaka to Saim Ayub, ! 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.

Kwena Maphaka to Babar Azam, 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.

Corbin Bosch to Babar Azam, 1 run.

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

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

Corbin Bosch to Babar Azam, 1 run.

Corbin Bosch to Saim Ayub, 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.

Corbin Bosch to Babar Azam, 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.

Kwena Maphaka to Saim Ayub, No run.

Kwena Maphaka to Saim Ayub, ! Good use of pace there from Saim Ayub 

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

Kwena Maphaka to Babar Azam, 1 run.

Kwena Maphaka to Babar Azam, Gets a good lift off the deck on this 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.

Kwena Maphaka to Saim Ayub, 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.

Kagiso Rabada to Saim Ayub, 1 run.

Kagiso Rabada to Saim Ayub, ! That was absolutely of the top draw from Saim Ayub.

Kagiso Rabada to Babar Azam, 1 run.

Kagiso Rabada to Babar Azam, Sharp and quick bumper!

Kagiso Rabada to Babar Azam, 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.

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?

Kagiso Rabada to Babar Azam, No run.

Marco Jansen to Saim Ayub, Slanting in, at the stumps, on a length, Saim Ayub clips it straight to mid-wicket.

Marco Jansen to Saim Ayub, Four!

Marco Jansen to Saim Ayub, Slight appeal there from the slip cordon but of no real substance. 

Marco Jansen to Saim Ayub, MISFIELD, !  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.

Marco Jansen to Saim Ayub, No run.

Marco Jansen to Saim Ayub, This is outside off, easily left alone.

Marco Jansen to Saim Ayub, 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?

Kagiso Rabada to Babar Azam, No run.

Kagiso Rabada to Babar Azam, No run.

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

Kagiso Rabada to Babar Azam, No run.

Kagiso Rabada to Babar Azam, ! Sneaky peaky and Babar is lucky!

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

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

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.

Marco Jansen to Saim Ayub, No run.

Marco Jansen to Saim Ayub, Beaten!

Marco Jansen to Saim Ayub, No run.

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

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

Kagiso Rabada to Saim Ayub, Swing and a miss there. 

Kagiso Rabada to Saim Ayub, No run.

Kagiso Rabada to Saim Ayub, That moved away big time off the wicket. 

Kagiso Rabada to Saim Ayub, ! 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.

Kagiso Rabada to Saim Ayub, No run.

Kagiso Rabada to Saim Ayub, ! That is well played.

Marco Jansen to Babar Azam, No run.

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

Marco Jansen to Babar Azam, No run.

Marco Jansen to Babar Azam, ! Not an easy one, but what's up with South Africa?

Marco Jansen to Saim Ayub, Down the leg side, helped towards fine leg for a single.

It's raining again. But the umpires are hanging on for now.

Marco Jansen to Saim Ayub, No run.

Kagiso Rabada to Babar Azam, 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.

Kagiso Rabada to Babar Azam, 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.

Kagiso Rabada to Babar Azam, No run.

Kagiso Rabada to Saim Ayub, 1 run.

Kagiso Rabada to Saim Ayub, Similar ball, slightly wider, this is let through.

Kagiso Rabada to Saim Ayub, 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.

Marco Jansen to Babar Azam, 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.

Marco Jansen to Babar Azam, ! 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.

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

Marco Jansen to Babar Azam, 2 runs.

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 hasve 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.

Marco Jansen to Babar Azam, Right on the money. Full and straight, Azam defends.

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 E

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.  

Marco Jansen to Babar Azam, On a good length, around off, moves away late, Babar Azam is sqaured 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.

Kagiso Rabada to Saim Ayub, A loose shot but Saim gets away with it!

Kagiso Rabada to Saim Ayub, Brings the line closer to the off stump line 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.

Kagiso Rabada to Saim Ayub, No run.

Kagiso Rabada to Saim Ayub, No run.

Kagiso Rabada to Saim Ayub, ! 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.

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

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

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

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

Marco Jansen to Saim Ayub, Outside off, Saim looks to punch it through the covers but the late movement means that the bat turns a bit.

Marco Jansen to Saim Ayub, Similar line and length, perhaps a tad closer to the off stump.

Marco Jansen to Saim Ayub, 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.

Who will bowl from the other end?

Kagiso Rabada to Babar Azam, 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.

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

Kagiso Rabada to Babar Azam, No run.

Kagiso Rabada to Babar Azam, No run.

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

Kagiso Rabada to Abdullah Shafique, ! c Aiden Markram b Kagiso Rabada.

Kagiso Rabada to Saim Ayub, 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 the

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, Kwena Maphaka. 

All in readiness for the chase to commence.

... THE RUN CHASE ...

For a change, we can say the weather is looking good. Now, about the pitch. It is looking a belter but you need to spend some time on it before playing your shifts. Additionally, there is some grip and turn for the spinners and spin has been an achilles heel for South Africa in this series. Maybe, given that this is Jo'burg where chasing is considered the norm, all the hosts might want to do is just check what happened on 12th March, 2006. Might serve as a good inspiration to avoid the whitewas

Cannot say that the bowling was totally inexperienced today, with Kagiso Rabada lending a shoulder to Marco Jansen. The duo did snare 5 wickets between themselves but most of those came towards the end when Pakistan were set to redefine harakiri. Bjorn Fortuin started poorly but managed two wickets in the end while Corbin Bosch, after a good start in his first spell, and getting the big wicket of Saim Ayub, just withered away. Not to mention - the fielding. It was not as bad as the second

South Africa will be disappointed with their bowling effort. Could be only me but it does seem like for the past few months, their focus has only been on trying to qualify for the World Test Championship final. While that is a big thing in itself given that they are almost there, having one leg in, the repercussions are that the pther formats are suffering. Main players are being rested with the Test series coming up later and because of that, the bowling looks inexperienced. 

Saim Ayub says that it is a special feeling whenever you score big and it becomes even more special when the knock comes in a team's win. Mentions that the score that they have got on the board is a collective effort of everyone. When asked if he feels that they have got enough runs, he says that this is a challenging total and he backs his bowlers to defend this total.

Pakistan were 208/2 in the 34th over, but then slipped to 223/5 in 4 overs, as the new batters did not apply themselves. At that time, there was a danger of an underpar score, but Salman Agha brought on his form from Australia here and ensured that the tourists get to 300 at least. It does look like a nice scorecard, with 4 out of the top 6 batting well, 2 getting starts while the remaining two, not wasting opportunities. Ayub showed how important it can be if a set batter stays for long and

Another classic 90-style batting by Pakistan. Start slowly, keep wickets in hand, then accelerate as the innings progresses. They lost Abdullah Shafique early but the 114-run stand between Saim Ayub and Babar Azam put them back on track. And then, that was followed further by a 93-run stand between Ayub and Mohammad Rizwan. It was after Ayub's wicket though, that the visitors lost their way slightly.

Well, it is a big score but given by how the last few overs unfolded, one can't help but think that South Africa will be the happier side at the break. From 297/5, the visitors managed just 4/11 in the last 8 balls. It is still a good pitch and what could have been 325-330, has been cut short by 20-odd runs.

Marco Jansen to Naseem Shah, 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!

Marco Jansen to Naseem Shah, ! 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, 3 balls left for Naseem to do something.

Marco Jansen to Sufiyan Muqeem, Bye.

Marco Jansen to Mohammad Hasnain, ! c David Miller b Marco Jansen.

Marco Jansen to Mohammad Hasnain, Four!

Who walks in next?

Marco Jansen to Tayyab Tahir, ! CAUGHT AND BOWLED! How shall we desribe this? Can we call it a giraffe plucking an apple from the tree?

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.

Marco Jansen to Tayyab Tahir, Wide!

Kagiso Rabada to Shaheen Afridi, ! c Rassie van der Dussen b Kagiso Rabada.

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

Kagiso Rabada to Salman Agha, ! c Rassie van der Dussen b Kagiso Rabada.

Kagiso Rabada to Salman Agha, Well, what's that about? 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.

Kagiso Rabada to Tayyab Tahir, Around off, wristed through mid on for a single.

Kagiso Rabada to Tayyab Tahir, ! Well, Tahir wants to join in on the fun! The boundaries keep on coming for Pakistan.

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.

Kagiso Rabada to Tayyab Tahir, No run.

Corbin Bosch to Salman Agha, 2 runs.

Corbin Bosch to Salman Agha, Six!

Corbin Bosch to Salman Agha, 2 runs.

Corbin Bosch to Salman Agha, ! Agha connects and connects well this time!

Corbin Bosch to Salman Agha, 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.

Corbin Bosch to Tayyab Tahir, 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.

Kagiso Rabada to Salman Agha, 2 runs.

Kagiso Rabada to Salman Agha, Four!

Kagiso Rabada to Tayyab Tahir, 1 run.

Kagiso Rabada to Salman Agha, 1 run.

Kagiso Rabada to Salman Agha, ! 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 45.

Kagiso Rabada to Tayyab Tahir, 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.

Corbin Bosch to Salman Agha, No run.

Corbin Bosch to Salman Agha, Wide!

Corbin Bosch to Salman Agha, Four!

Corbin Bosch to Tayyab Tahir, 1 run.

Corbin Bosch to Tayyab Tahir, No run.

Corbin Bosch to Tayyab Tahir, ! 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 right 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.

Corbin Bosch to bowl again. 7-0-42-1 so far.

Corbin Bosch to Tayyab Tahir, No run.

Marco Jansen to Salman Agha, No run.

Marco Jansen to Salman Agha, Wide!

Marco Jansen to Salman Agha, 2 runs.

Marco Jansen to Salman Agha, 2 runs.

Marco Jansen to Tayyab Tahir, 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.

Marco Jansen to Tayyab Tahir, 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.

Marco Jansen to Salman Agha, 1 run.

Change.

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

Kagiso Rabada to Tayyab Tahir, 1 run.

Kagiso Rabada to Tayyab Tahir, 2 runs.

Kagiso Rabada to Tayyab Tahir, No run.

Kagiso Rabada to Tayyab Tahir, A loud shout for LBW but turned down!

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

Kagiso Rabada to Salman Agha, Leg bye.

Bjorn Fortuin to Tayyab Tahir, Six!

Bjorn Fortuin to Salman Agha, 1 run.

Bjorn Fortuin to Salman Agha, 2 runs.

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

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

Bjorn Fortuin to Salman Agha, No run.

Kagiso Rabada to Tayyab Tahir, No run.

Kagiso Rabada to Tayyab Tahir, No run.

Kagiso Rabada to Tayyab Tahir, No run.

Kagiso Rabada to Tayyab Tahir, 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.

Kagiso Rabada to Tayyab Tahir, No run.

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

Who walks in next?

Bjorn Fortuin to Mohammad Rizwan, ! c Kagiso Rabada b Bjorn Fortuin.

Bjorn Fortuin to Salman Agha, 1 run.

Bjorn Fortuin to Salman Agha, Wide!

Bjorn Fortuin to Salman Agha, No run.

Bjorn Fortuin to Mohammad Rizwan, 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.

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

Bjorn Fortuin to Salman Agha, 2 runs.

Corbin Bosch to Salman Agha, 1 run.

Corbin Bosch to Mohammad Rizwan, 1 run.

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

Corbin Bosch to Mohammad Rizwan, Outside off, steered towards deep third for a single.

Corbin Bosch to Mohammad Rizwan, ! That has been hit beautifully.

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

Bjorn Fortuin to Salman Agha, Beaten! That one gripped and turned. 

Bjorn Fortuin to Salman Agha, No run.

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

Who walks in next?

Bjorn Fortuin to Kamran Ghulam, ! CAUGHT! Mindless batting and one brings two for the Proteas.

Bjorn Fortuin to Mohammad Rizwan, 1 run.

Bjorn Fortuin to Mohammad Rizwan, 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.

Corbin Bosch to Saim Ayub, ! CAUGHT BEHIND! MAIDEN international wicket for Bosch!

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

Corbin Bosch to Mohammad Rizwan, No run.

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

Corbin Bosch to Mohammad Rizwan, 1 run.

Corbin Bosch to Mohammad Rizwan, Six!

Aiden Markram to Saim Ayub, No run.

Aiden Markram to Mohammad Rizwan, 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.

Aiden Markram to Mohammad Rizwan, ! Low full toss and it gets the treatment!

Aiden Markram to Saim Ayub, CONSECUTIVE HUNDREDS FOR SAIM AYUB! The first player from Pakistan to do so against South Africa, that too, 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

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

Aiden Markram to Saim Ayub, 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.

Corbin Bosch to Mohammad Rizwan, ! 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.

Corbin Bosch to Mohammad Rizwan, Swipe and a miss!

Corbin Bosch to Saim Ayub, 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.

Corbin Bosch to Mohammad Rizwan, 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.

Corbin Bosch to Mohammad Rizwan, 2 runs.

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,

Corbin Bosch to Mohammad Rizwan, No run.

Aiden Markram to Mohammad Rizwan, 1 run.

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

Aiden Markram to Mohammad Rizwan, 1 run.

Aiden Markram to Mohammad Rizwan, Fuller, around off, Mohammad defends.

Aiden Markram to Mohammad Rizwan, 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.

Aiden Markram to Mohammad Rizwan, No run.

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. 17 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.

Marco Jansen to Saim Ayub, 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.

Marco Jansen to Mohammad Rizwan, 1 run.

Marco Jansen to Mohammad Rizwan, ! 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.

Marco Jansen to Saim Ayub, Risky, but lucky!

Marco Jansen to Saim Ayub, A short ball now and Ayub jumps onto the pull.

Marco Jansen to Saim Ayub, ! How effective and stylish is that? Effortless to add to the adjectives.

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

Aiden Markram to Saim Ayub, 1 run.

Aiden Markram to Saim Ayub, Four!

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

Aiden Markram to Mohammad Rizwan, No run.

Aiden Markram to Mohammad Rizwan, No run.

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.

Marco Jansen to Saim Ayub, Four!

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

Marco Jansen to Mohammad Rizwan, On the pads, on a length, flicked away to deep backward square leg for a single by Rizwan.

Marco Jansen to Mohammad Rizwan, 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 off the toe end of the bat. The ball dribbles in front of the keeper.

Marco Jansen to Saim Ayub, 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.

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.

Marco Jansen to Mohammad Rizwan, 1 run.

Bjorn Fortuin to Saim Ayub, Four!

Bjorn Fortuin to Saim Ayub, Four!

Bjorn Fortuin to Mohammad Rizwan, 1 run.

Bjorn Fortuin to Mohammad Rizwan, In the air...but it lands safely!

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

Bjorn Fortuin to Saim Ayub, 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!

Kwena Maphaka to Mohammad Rizwan, Four!

Kwena Maphaka to Mohammad Rizwan, No run.

Kwena Maphaka to Saim Ayub, 1 run.

Kwena Maphaka to Saim Ayub, 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.

Kwena Maphaka to Saim Ayub, ! 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.

Kwena Maphaka to Saim Ayub, 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.

Kwena Maphaka to Mohammad Rizwan, 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.

Kwena Maphaka to Mohammad Rizwan, 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.

Bjorn Fortuin to Mohammad Rizwan, 1 run.

Bjorn Fortuin to Saim Ayub, 1 run.

Bjorn Fortuin to Saim Ayub, No run.

Bjorn Fortuin to Mohammad Rizwan, 1 run.

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

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

Kwena Maphaka to Mohammad Rizwan, 1 run.

Kwena Maphaka to Mohammad Rizwan, No run.

Kwena Maphaka to Mohammad Rizwan, That one stops after coming off the wicket. 

Kwena Maphaka to Saim Ayub, 1 run.

Kwena Maphaka to Saim Ayub, No, no, no, Saim. Not expected from you.

Kwena Maphaka to Saim Ayub, 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.

Bjorn Fortuin to Saim Ayub, 1 run.

Bjorn Fortuin to Mohammad Rizwan, 1 run.

Bjorn Fortuin to Mohammad Rizwan, No run.

Bjorn Fortuin to Saim Ayub, This time, the ball is punched past the left of the bowler, through mid on, for a single.

Bjorn Fortuin to Saim Ayub, Quicker and flatter, around off, Ayub punches it towards the bowler.

Bjorn Fortuin to Saim Ayub, No run.

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.

Kwena Maphaka to Mohammad Rizwan, No run.

Kwena Maphaka to Mohammad Rizwan, No run.

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

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

Kwena Maphaka to Babar Azam, ! CAUGHT! The break works for South Africa!

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 a protection. The physio is out in the middle but Babar is mostly ready.

Kwena Maphaka to Babar Azam, The length is held back and it works wonders. Even after 22 overs, the balls have something in them.

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

Bjorn Fortuin to Saim Ayub, 2 runs.

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

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

Bjorn Fortuin to Babar Azam, Similar ball, slightly arrowing into leg stump, Azam drives it towards the bowler.

Bjorn Fortuin to Babar Azam, No run.

Bjorn Fortuin to Saim Ayub, 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.

Kwena Maphaka to Babar Azam, Four!

Kwena Maphaka to Saim Ayub, 1 run.

Kwena Maphaka to Saim Ayub, No run.

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

Kwena Maphaka to Saim Ayub, Wide!

Kwena Maphaka to Babar Azam, 1 run.

Kwena Maphaka to Babar Azam, ! AMAZING! What a way to bring up the 100-RUN STAND!

Kwena Maphaka to Babar Azam, 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.

Kwena Maphaka to Babar Azam, Wide!

Pakistan upping the tempo slightly. They scored 42/1 in the first 10 overs, but have managed 56 in the next 10.

Bjorn Fortuin to Babar Azam, 1 run.

Bjorn Fortuin to Babar Azam, No run.

Bjorn Fortuin to Babar Azam, ! 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.

Bjorn Fortuin to Babar Azam, No run.

Bjorn Fortuin to Babar Azam, No run.

Bjorn Fortuin to Babar Azam, No run.

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.

Corbin Bosch to Saim Ayub, No run.

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

Corbin Bosch to Saim Ayub, No run.

Corbin Bosch to Babar Azam, Short and outside off, Azam punches it through point for a single.

Corbin Bosch to Babar Azam, Around off, pushed back down the pitch.

Corbin Bosch to Babar Azam, 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?

Bjorn Fortuin to Babar Azam, 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.

Bjorn Fortuin to Saim Ayub, 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.

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

Bjorn Fortuin to Babar Azam, No run.

Bjorn Fortuin to Babar Azam, Four!

Bjorn Fortuin to Babar Azam, No run.

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.

Corbin Bosch to Babar Azam, 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.

Corbin Bosch to Babar Azam, Wide!

Corbin Bosch to Saim Ayub, FIFTY FOR AYUB!  The southpaw has looked like a million dollar 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!

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, i

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

Corbin Bosch to Saim Ayub, Ouch. That's hurt and trust me, no one can help. No one. Bosch has hit Ayub's box.

Corbin Bosch to Saim Ayub, No run.

Yet another batting plan being executed well by Pakistan. They seem to have formed a blueprint for themselves in ODIs, which is too 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 other 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 po

Corbin Bosch to Saim Ayub, 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.

Bjorn Fortuin to Saim Ayub, 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.

Bjorn Fortuin to Babar Azam, 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.

Bjorn Fortuin to Saim Ayub, 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.

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

Bjorn Fortuin to Babar Azam, No run.

Bjorn Fortuin to Babar Azam, No run.

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 - Rabad

Corbin Bosch to Saim Ayub, 2 runs.

Corbin Bosch to Babar Azam, 1 run.

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

Corbin Bosch to Saim Ayub, 1 run.

Corbin Bosch to Saim Ayub, Wide!

Corbin Bosch to Babar Azam, 1 run.

Corbin Bosch to Babar Azam, Wide!

Corbin Bosch to Babar Azam, Oh, that was hit extremely hard!

Corbin Bosch to Babar Azam, 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.

Kwena Maphaka to Saim Ayub, No run.

Kwena Maphaka to Saim Ayub, No run.

Kwena Maphaka to Saim Ayub, No run.

Kwena Maphaka to Saim Ayub, 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.

Kwena Maphaka to Saim Ayub, ! 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.

Kwena Maphaka to Babar Azam, 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.

Corbin Bosch to Babar Azam, 1 run.

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

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

Corbin Bosch to Babar Azam, 1 run.

Corbin Bosch to Saim Ayub, 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.

Corbin Bosch to Babar Azam, 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.

Kwena Maphaka to Saim Ayub, No run.

Kwena Maphaka to Saim Ayub, ! Good use of pace there from Saim Ayub 

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

Kwena Maphaka to Babar Azam, 1 run.

Kwena Maphaka to Babar Azam, Gets a good lift off the deck on this 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.

Kwena Maphaka to Saim Ayub, 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.

Kagiso Rabada to Saim Ayub, 1 run.

Kagiso Rabada to Saim Ayub, ! That was absolutely of the top draw from Saim Ayub.

Kagiso Rabada to Babar Azam, 1 run.

Kagiso Rabada to Babar Azam, Sharp and quick bumper!

Kagiso Rabada to Babar Azam, 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.

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?

Kagiso Rabada to Babar Azam, No run.

Marco Jansen to Saim Ayub, Slanting in, at the stumps, on a length, Saim Ayub clips it straight to mid-wicket.

Marco Jansen to Saim Ayub, Four!

Marco Jansen to Saim Ayub, Slight appeal there from the slip cordon but of no real substance. 

Marco Jansen to Saim Ayub, MISFIELD, !  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.

Marco Jansen to Saim Ayub, No run.

Marco Jansen to Saim Ayub, This is outside off, easily left alone.

Marco Jansen to Saim Ayub, 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?

Kagiso Rabada to Babar Azam, No run.

Kagiso Rabada to Babar Azam, No run.

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

Kagiso Rabada to Babar Azam, No run.

Kagiso Rabada to Babar Azam, ! Sneaky peaky and Babar is lucky!

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

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

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.

Marco Jansen to Saim Ayub, No run.

Marco Jansen to Saim Ayub, Beaten!

Marco Jansen to Saim Ayub, No run.

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

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

Kagiso Rabada to Saim Ayub, Swing and a miss there. 

Kagiso Rabada to Saim Ayub, No run.

Kagiso Rabada to Saim Ayub, That moved away big time off the wicket. 

Kagiso Rabada to Saim Ayub, ! 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.

Kagiso Rabada to Saim Ayub, No run.

Kagiso Rabada to Saim Ayub, ! That is well played.

Marco Jansen to Babar Azam, No run.

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

Marco Jansen to Babar Azam, No run.

Marco Jansen to Babar Azam, ! Not an easy one, but what's up with South Africa?

Marco Jansen to Saim Ayub, Down the leg side, helped towards fine leg for a single.

It's raining again. But the umpires are hanging on for now.

Marco Jansen to Saim Ayub, No run.

Kagiso Rabada to Babar Azam, 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.

Kagiso Rabada to Babar Azam, 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.

Kagiso Rabada to Babar Azam, No run.

Kagiso Rabada to Saim Ayub, 1 run.

Kagiso Rabada to Saim Ayub, Similar ball, slightly wider, this is let through.

Kagiso Rabada to Saim Ayub, 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.

Marco Jansen to Babar Azam, 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.

Marco Jansen to Babar Azam, ! 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.

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

Marco Jansen to Babar Azam, 2 runs.

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 hasve 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.

Marco Jansen to Babar Azam, Right on the money. Full and straight, Azam defends.

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 E

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.  

Marco Jansen to Babar Azam, On a good length, around off, moves away late, Babar Azam is sqaured 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.

Kagiso Rabada to Saim Ayub, A loose shot but Saim gets away with it!

Kagiso Rabada to Saim Ayub, Brings the line closer to the off stump line 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.

Kagiso Rabada to Saim Ayub, No run.

Kagiso Rabada to Saim Ayub, No run.

Kagiso Rabada to Saim Ayub, ! 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.

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

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

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

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

Marco Jansen to Saim Ayub, Outside off, Saim looks to punch it through the covers but the late movement means that the bat turns a bit.

Marco Jansen to Saim Ayub, Similar line and length, perhaps a tad closer to the off stump.

Marco Jansen to Saim Ayub, 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.

Who will bowl from the other end?

Kagiso Rabada to Babar Azam, 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.

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

Kagiso Rabada to Babar Azam, No run.

Kagiso Rabada to Babar Azam, No run.

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

Kagiso Rabada to Abdullah Shafique, ! c Aiden Markram b Kagiso Rabada.

Kagiso Rabada to Saim Ayub, 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 the

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, Kwena Maphaka.