49.5 overs Pakistan 329 (Rizwan 80, Babar 73, Ghulam 63, Maphaka 4-72) Vs. South Africa
Pakistan’s urgency level immediately subsided, with Babar and Rizwan opting for the more classical rhythm that comes so naturally to them. Both were trying to fight their way back into the runs, and with South Africa happy to strangle scores rather than go after wickets, it seemed for a while that the game entered a passage of play in which each side was getting what it wanted. wanted to. .
There were still moments of belligerence, such as when Rizwan creamed Aiden Markram over cow corner for six, and Babar milked the spinners for the occasional boundary. But the scoring rate constantly fluctuated between 4.75 and 5.1, and it was evident that Pakistan were recharging the innings.
Babar had passed 50 and looked to be closing in on that elusive hundred, but then he slapped Andile Phehlukwayo straight at Markram at short-midfield, who almost held on after it hit him on the chest. Maphaka got rid of Rizwan with a splendid return catch, and South Africa suddenly gained momentum.
But Ghulam put an end to such notions. Alongside Salman Agha, who punished some errant South African bowling, Ghulam proved his worth as a lower-order power batsman, making splendid use of his lower hand as he smashed five sixes in a flurry of strokes. The half-century was completed in just 25 deliveries, in which both pace and spin were tested. Irfan Khan, Shaheen Afridi and Haris Rauf were good value for the odd six at the other end, but until he holed out to Maphaka in the final over, the late charge was largely down to Ghulam. In about three hours, those final executions may well result in the series’ closure.
