SA VS PAK 3RD ODI

That ends the white-ball tour of South Africa by Pakistan. 5 matches played, the T20I series levelled 1-1 but the ODI series was a shocking whitewash of 0-3, that too, of the home side. We now move towards the red ball, a 2-Test series, which kickstarts on Thursday, 26th December, 2024, the Boxing Day. If the Proteas manage to win even one of those two Tests, they book themselves a place in the World Test Championship final. With Christmas approaching, there is not much cricket around the corner, except for Women's cricket involving Australia, New Zealand, West Indies and India. Do enjoy our coverage of that as well. International action will be back in full swing from Boxing Day, so get well rested, folks! Wishing you all a merry Christmas! ADIOS! TAKE CARE!

Victorious skipper of Pakistan, MOHAMMAD RIZWAN, calls it a proud moment. Details that the nation expects them to win in such a manner but wants to explain that they are all players, who are giving their best but not quite able to get their results. Finds plenty of positives and is happy with everything in this series. Thanks the almighty for helping them win. Does not want to praise Saim Ayub as he is still young in his career and hopes that he becomes the next big thing for Pakistan.

The skipper of South Africa, TEMBA BAVUMA, says that the series has raised more questions than answers through this series. Promises a detailed inspection of the entire squad before the next series. Agrees that Heinrich Klaasen was a step above the rest but adds that in the last 2 years, he has literally shone everywhere, which is why he has been regarded as one of the world's best batters. On shifting the focus back to Test cricket, Bavuma wants to forget this series and the emotions and concentrate on the next task at hand.

Pakistan's SAIM AYUB HAS BEEN ADJUDGED THE PLAYER OF THE MATCH AND THE SERIES. In the match, he made 101 and picked up. For the series, he scored 235 runs at an average of 78.33. Ayub says that it is a very special set of awards for him as the team has won and dedicates the awards to the entire unit. Details that as a young player, he tries to learn very quickly and credits the seniors for helping him regularly.

... THE PRESENTATION ...

Earlier in the game, an inconsistent bowling display by South Africa followed by an indifferent fielding performance helped Pakistan cross 300. After two rain delays curtailed the match to 47 overs per side, South Africa did well with the new balls, only to let the advantage slip. They came back towards the end, but by then it was too late. Saim Ayub's 101 stalled them for a greater portion of the game while Babar and Rizwan chipped in with 50s, along with a nice finishing touch by Salman Agha. Please stay tuned for the presentation.

Closer match, but a sweet win for Pakistan. Tight wins bring in more joy and while this was primarily set up by their batters, their bowlers found it tough to keep picking up wickets. But the unit stuck together, with the pacers dealing early blows and then, the spinners choked the Proteas again. Rizwan had two trump cards - Saim Ayub - who got away with figures of 10-1-34-1 while Sufiyan Muqeem picked up 4/52 to derail the home side.

Handshakes all around, but would South Africa be okay to just wipe out this series and only focus on the Test series coming up? Don't think so. Their bowling was exposed and okay, let's say inexperience came into the fray but their batting, reasonably experienced  was blown away in all three games. This final game might suggest that they batted better but it was mostly about Klaasen and some minor support from van der Dussen and Bosch. It has been a really forgetful series for the entire unit, barring Heinrich Klaasen. 3 matches, 3 fifties, all on the losing side.

For the first time ever in South Africa, Pakistan have done the unthinkable - whitewashed the Saffas 3-0! This is the first time ever, yes, read that line again - FIRST TIME EVER - that the rainbow nation has failed to win even a single match in an ODI series at home! Their previous drubbing was 1-5 against Australia in 2002 but this will taste bitterly for the home side. Especially with the Champions Trophy in a couple of months' time.

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!

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, 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.

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, 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.

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.