- Joined
- Oct 2, 2004
- Runs
- 217,977
Incessant rains put paid to Pakistan's plans of defending a fine total in the previous game, and they now face a do-or-die situation in the fourth ODI in Johannesburg on Sunday, 27 January, with South Africa already leading 2-1.
Overview
South Africa v Pakistan
4th ODI
The Wanderers Stadium, Johannesburg
Sunday, 27 January, 10:00 local time, 08:00 GMT
South Africa have clawed back from 1-0 down to being within a victory from claiming the series with a match to spare. It could well have been 2-1 to Pakistan, though, had rain not intervened.
Pakistan posted 317/6 in the third ODI – a fine effort, given they were bundled out for 203 in the previous match – and had an opening by reducing South Africa to 79/2.
But rain arrived, forced a delay of up to an hour first, and on resumption, Reeza Hendricks scored an unbeaten 83* in a 108-run stand with Faf du Plessis to ensure South Africa were ahead of the DLS par score, finishing on 187/2 in 33 overs.
Despite the loss, Pakistan can take heart from the performance. There was a century from Imam-ul-Haq, half-centuries from Babar Azam and Mohammad Hafeez, and strong hands from Shoaib Malik and Imad Wasim. This, despite Dale Steyn and Kagiso Rabada bowling economical spells and taking two wickets each.
Imam-ul-Haq made an excellent century, and Pakistan will hope for more of the same Imam-ul-Haq made an excellent century, and Pakistan will hope for more of the same
Pakistan will want more of the same in Johannesburg. And the performance will certainly buoy them. The question is, can South Africa stop them once again?
The home side showed plenty of grit to come away with victory, despite facing a tricky total. Particularly pleasing for South Africa will be the displays put in by the middle order over the last two matches – it was Rassie van der Dussen and Andile Phehlukwayo in Durban, and Hendricks and du Plessis at Centurion.
Their bowlers – Phehlukwayo and Tabraiz Shamsi in particular – were taken to the cleaners by the Pakistan batsmen in the third ODI, but impressed in the first two matches. South Africa will be hoping all departments can come together in tandem in Johannesburg and seal what has been a hard-fought series.
Dale Steyn picked two wickets and was the most economical bowlers at the Centurion Dale Steyn picked two wickets and was the most economical bowlers at the Centurion
Key players
Imam-ul-Haq (Pakistan): Pakistan put up a hugely improved batting performance in the third ODI, and that was triggered by Imam. He held the innings together with his 116-ball 101, his fifth ODI ton, and made clear what had spurred him: “To all the people who criticised me over the years, the media and the people, I want to thank them. This has been possible because of them," he said. Pakistan will hope the spark continues.
Dale Steyn (South Africa): Early wickets are key against Pakistan. Steyn, playing his first ODI in over two months, snared a brace at the Centurion, including a delicious slower ball to deceive Babar Azam. He was South Africa’s most economical bowler as well. The legend is gradually returning to his lofty standards, and that’s good news for South Africa on a World Cup year.
Conditions
Rain is, unfortunately, forecast in Johannesburg, and could once again play spoilsport come Sunday, making the toss crucial.
Squads
South Africa: Faf du Plessis(c), Hashim Amla, Reeza Hendricks, Imran Tahir, Quinton de Kock, David Miller, Beuran Hendricks, Andile Phehlukwayo, Dwaine Pretorius, Kagiso Rabada, Tabraiz Shamsi, Rassie van der Dussen, Aiden Markram, Dale Steyn
Pakistan: Sarfaraz Ahmed(c), Babar Azam, Faheem Ashraf, Fakhar Zaman, Hasan Ali, Hussain Talat, Imad Wasim, Imam-ul-Haq, Mohammad Amir, Mohammad Hafeez, Mohammad Rizwan, Shadab Khan, Shaheen Afridi, Shan Masood, Shoaib Malik, Usman Khan
https://www.icc-cricket.com/news/982923
)
