The commentary is not available for this match. Please check the scorecard for latest updates.
Alas! This promised a lot of entertainment but it has to end in this way. This is Dwaipayan Mukherjee, signing off with my co-commentator Rajarshi!
8:02 P.M. Local Time, 11:32 P.M. IST: The players are shaking hands. It's official - the 3rd and final T20 International between South Africa and Pakistan has been called off.
7:47 PM Local Time, 11:17 PM IST: We hate to be the bearer of bad news but the rain has decided to make another appearance. To add to our disappointments, there is thunder and lightning in the background as well. The waiting game continues. One must feel for the fans who have turned up to the stadium!
7:30 PM Local Time, 11:00PM IST: The rain has subsided and the super soppers are doing their best to ensure we can begin on time. The covers still remain in place. Next inspection at 07:45pm - 15 minutes from now. No overs lost so far.
7:20 PM Local Time, 10:50PM IST: A few minutes ago, there is official confirmation from the Proteas Twitter account that some work has begun on the field even though the covers remain placed.
7:03 P.M. Local Time, 10:33 P.M. IST: Zahid Khan mentions - "Whenever the match begins now, it will benefit the team which is bowling first." : Yes, truncated games have somehow resulted in creating a huge advantage for the chasing team since they get a grip of how the surface is behaving by the time they need to bat on it.
Ahsan Ali: "1) Till when we will be hope for start the match? 2) Any chances to start the game today?", 1) Well, here's an update, and not a positive one. The rain has gotten heavier in the last few minutes, spectators are looking for shelter. 2) Let's remain optimistic, shall we?
6:52 P.M. Local Time, 10:22 P.M. IST: Jahan asks - "Genuine question. Should Pakistan move on from Babar and Rizwan in T20s? They need more players like Saim and Irfan." : If you look at how certain successful T20 teams in the past have operated, they find the right balance between the reliability of experience and the exuberance of youth. That would be in the forefront of Pakistan's strategies - but currently, we do believe there is space for both the stalwarts to remain around the T20 set up and mentor the newcomers.
Bhat Ji: "Is there any chance of today's match", well, the way things are going, we might have a shortened contest at best. Surely, these passing storms and showers aren't as prolonged in nature... hope they clear out soon. The drainage system at the Wanderers is really good - it won't take long for the ground to be prepared.
6:32 P.M. Local Time, 10:02 P.M. IST: So, around 20 minutes ago, the ground-staff were heading to the field - presumably to take the covers off. However, as soon as they stepped on the field to a rousing reception from the crowd, lightning struck nearby once again. The skies over the Wanderers remain overcast, but judging from visuals, there isn't much rain right now.
6:10 PM Local Time, 9:40 PM IST: Not very encouraging visuals coming in from Johannesburg. The downpour is a steady one. The hosts have bagged the series but the crowd that has turned up at the venue would love for some cricketing action. It is going to be one of those days!
6:00 PM Local Time, 9:30 PM IST:
Shivkant Yadav : "This match should be an interesting one should it unfold but currently the chances look bleak with impending rain." : We are yet to get into the zone where we begin losing overs so hoping for an unaffected battle on the field!
Saleem: "It means my data add on is going dusted", well... here's an idea - turn the data network off for now and check the status of the game in around... 15 minutes' time? The process can be repeated until the game begins. Of course, we'll keep you posted - tuning in to Sportskeeda sure doesn't consume as much data as streaming a game!
5:38 P.M. Local Time, 9:08 P.M. IST: Seems like the delaying of the coin toss might be a prolonged one - it has also begun drizzling at the Wanderers. There are some umbrellas visible across the banks and stands. The skies are gloomy too.
4:58 P.M. Local Time, 8:58 P.M. IST: Update - the toss has been delayed due to lightning striking close to the Wanderers Stadium.
5:00 P.M. Local Time, 8:30 P.M. IST: Hello and a very warm welcome to Sportskeeda's live coverage of the 3rd and final T20 International between South Africa and Pakistan, folks! We've had an action-packed, immensely entertaining series so far, and tonight seems no different. Joining me - Rajarshi - in this textual commentary box will be my mate and colleague Dwaipayan. Let's get started - to know more about what's at stake (spoiler alert - not much), and what to expect from tonight, scroll down and have a look at our preview for the game!
South Africa sealed the series. Shockingly, this happens to be their first series win this year after facing a couple of losses across the series they have played throughout 2024. They will be eager to end this year on a high and start looking forward in anticipation of their big upcoming consignment—the Champions Trophy 2025.
As for Pakistan, they came into this tour with a lot of confidence behind them but it all seems to have gone downhill after they came so close to winning the first game. Poor decisions have cost them both contests and they will be licking their wounds in reflection to ensure they do not repeat such errors again.
The last game of this tour sees these two side meet again after a very, very short turn around. In the first game, George Linde's all-round brilliance came to the fore as he ensured South Africa was home safely after a bumpy ride. Pakistan tried too hard but in the end, their strategy of playing it deep came back to bite them.
The second game looked like a straightforward result after Pakistan had smoked 206/5 on board at the end of the 20 overs thanks to a majority contribution from Saim Ayub. However, Pakistan being Pakistan capitulated and failed to pick up wickets at regular intervals, allowing their free-flowing batters to score and get across home safely.
The two teams continue to be in the highveld and will now be locking horns in Johannesburg. This venue last month saw the Men's T20 World Cup Champions, India, blaze to 283/1 and raze the hosts down to a meagre 148, registering a huge win worth 135 runs. Could we see a possibility of this happening again or will it be a different contest altogether?
For South Africa, both bowling and batting have clicked quite well. If the Ottniel Baartman-led bowling unit is picking up wickets, the batting unit is doing equally well scoring the runs and help in posting big enough targets on board. Heinrich Klassen will be aiming to do well here to ensure that a series sweep is complete and South Africa heads into the ODIs with their heads held high.
For Pakistan, they will be gutted. They have now only won 2 T20I games across the last eight they have played. While Mohammad Rizwan's ODI captaincy has received plaudits, he somehow seems to have succumbed to the fast pace of the format. Saim Ayub and Shaheen Afridi have done well and the others in the unit will be expected to do good.
Irrespective of this game, the series has its fate sealed. So then, let's sit back and see what else we could witness in an encounter between these two sides.
South Africa (Probable XI): Ryan Rickelton (wk), Reeza Hendricks, Matthew Breetzke, Rassie van der Dussen, Heinrich Klaasen (c), Donovan Ferreira, George Linde, Dayyaan Galiem, Nqabayomzi Peter, Kwena Maphaka, Ottneil Baartman
Pakistan (Probable XI): Mohammad Rizwan (c & wk), Saim Ayub, Babar Azam, Usman Khan, Tayyab Tahir, Irfan Khan, Shaheen Afridi, Abbas Afridi, Jahandad Khan, Haris Rauf, Abrar Ahmed
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The Wanderers Stadium, Johannesburg
