JOHANNESBURG: Rain played havoc with the third ODI between Pakistan and South Africa at The Wanderers Stadium on Sunday, leading to significant delays and alterations to the game. Despite forecasts, persistent rain delayed the toss, which eventually began after 5:30 PM IST. South Africa captain Temba Bavuma chose to field first after winning the toss.
The match was critically affected by the weather—play was delayed by 75 minutes, forcing the number of overs to be reduced to 47 per side. Only 3.1 overs were completed before the players were again pulled off the field with Pakistan's score at 10 for one. The early loss came as fast bowler Kagiso Rabada struck Abdullah Shafique's wicket with the very first ball of the match. This unfortunate start marked Shafique's third consecutive duck of the series, reflecting the struggles the South African bowlers had been encountering against the Pakistani attack.
Pakistan had already claimed the series after winning the first two ODIs, under the leadership of captain Mohammad Rizwan. “There’s a bit of moisture on the pitch, and the conditions favor bowling first. We would have chosen to bowl first as well,” said Rizwan, emphasizing the significance of maintaining their winning momentum.
Despite the troubles posed by the weather, the players showed resilience. The playing XI for Pakistan included notable names such as Babar Azam and Shaheen Afridi, both of whom were key players throughout the series. South Africa, bolstered by their captain Bavuma and featuring debutant Corbin Bosch, sought to find ways to overcome their earlier defeats against Pakistan.
Bavuma stated, “With the overhead conditions and rain around, the wicket might be slow and tacky. It’s important for us to focus on this game as we need to look at us as a One Day team and what's to come.” This remark highlighted the urgency for South Africa to demonstrate improvements and establish confidence after two consecutive losses.
Head-to-head statistics before the match illustrated the competitive history between the two teams: out of 85 ODIs, Pakistan had won 32, whereas South Africa recorded 52 victories. This ODI series served to bolster Pakistan’s performance history, especially after they had recently secured back-to-back series victories against Australia and Zimbabwe.
Both teams were also preparing for the upcoming Champions Trophy, making this third ODI pivotal not only as part of the series but also for fine-tuning their strategies and player combinations. The conditions at Johannesburg, typically known for their unpredictability, certainly kept players and spectators alike on their toes throughout the day.
Fans had anticipated this match, especially as it was marked as Pink Day—a day dedicated to raising awareness for cancer. Bavuma noted, “We have got a decent record playing in pink and we want to improve on our past performances during these fixtures.” Emphasizing the significance of awareness created through cricket production, the day added layers of emotional engagement for players and fans.
The match’s rebuilding after rain delays saw players waiting patiently, showcasing the intense commitment they bring to the sport. For Pakistan, continuing to maintain their confidence and resources would be key to finishing the series with full momentum. Meanwhile, South Africa, striving to recover from their misfortunes, hoped to showcase their strengths and rally for at least one victory before concluding the series.
While rain continued to threaten play, both teams remained focused on the task at hand, embodied by their respective captains’ comments. Underlining this competitive spirit, Rizwan remarked, “Every game is important to us. We don’t want to lose our confidence.” The commitment echoed the ethos of cricket where every match carries weight not only for statistics but also for team morale.
With all the developments throughout the day, and with play restricted under such uncertain weather circumstances, cricket fans across the world remained on the edge of their seats, watching as the match unfolded—a testimony to the sport's unpredictable elegance.
