South Africa 72 for 3 (Rickelton 50*) vs Pakistan

That will only make Pakistan more pleased that they took advantage of the errors which presented themselves.

Pakistan's mood dipped and the next five overs cost 22 runs, as South Africa's openers brought up a fifty-run stand. It is only their second half-century partnership since March 2023, after Markam and de Zorzi put on 55 against Sri Lanka in Gqeberha.

Abbas finally had the ball taken out of his hands after six overs, which meant he had delivered 25.3 consecutive overs in the series, and was replaced by Hamza from the other end as Saud Shakeel rotated his three premier quicks. The chance came from Khurram Shahzad, who had Markram driving loosely straight to substitute fielder Abdullah Shafique. After three ducks in the ODIs and no game time since, Shafique was under pressure and the ball went straight into and out of his hands. Markram was on 17.

No actual damage was done as, in the next over, Markram slashed at a ball that just moved away and inside-edged through to Mohammad Rizwan. Shahzad kept the pressure on and induced an edge off Rickelton but the chance fell short of the cordon, who were standing quite deep. That brought Wiaan Mulder to the crease, promoted above Tristan Stubbs for this match, but his stay at No.3 may be short-lived. Abbas returned after a seven-over break and his unerring accuracy found Mulder's outside edge to give Pakistan a second wicket.

Aamer Jamal was brought towards the end of the session, as was Salman Agha. He is expected to play a big role with the ball, after not bowling at all at SuperSport Park, and duly got a wicket in his first over. On the stroke of lunch, Tristan Stubbs stayed back to a tossed-up ball and edged to Rizwan.