SA vs PAK

Bavuma collects the trophy and then hands it over to his teammates who gather around it to celebrate. They are singing along, it is a happy bunch and why not. They have won 7 on the trot and are now heading to the WTC final for the first time after topping the table of the 2023-25 cycle. They will be up against Australia in the final to be played from June 11 at Lord's, that sounds so mouth-watering. As of now, they will disperse to their respective franchises as the SA20 is set to kick off in a couple of days time. As far as Pakistan is concerned, they can hold their heads high and return to their nation, they have got a 2-test match series against the West Indies coming up in 10 days. And for us, we would like to give our eyes and fingers some rest having brought all the action to your screens. This is Sourabh on behalf of Arya and the entire team bidding you adieu, see you super soon!

Temba Bavuma (South Africa captain): The result (on what pleased him the most). We won the first one and qualified (for the WTC final). Had a bit of time before coming here, quite pleased that the guys got themselves up and got going. Quite satisfying, old-fashioned cricket. There was a bit in it for the new ball but then it really flattened out, our batters really dug it, that is what we've been accustomed to growing up. There are also lessons on how we can get better. (On Maphaka) A guy who is super confident, never puts his head down and wants to make a play for the team, really pleased to have him. Looking forward to it (the WTC final), we know we have got Australia and it is not going to be any mean feat. For now, we will enjoy the moment.

Shan Masood (Pakistan captain): Lot of good things, knowing that we did really well at Centurion, Did not close it at the crunch moments, credit to South Africa. Here as well, we did not start well both with the bat and the ball we have got to be honest. We folded really quickly with the bat, it was a really battable wicket to our surprise. The fightback was really special, we have set the record for most runs against South Africa. But we have got to learn to win the crunch moments, can't leave it till too late all the time. We've been really good in adversity. In the England series, we bounced back, lost a couple to Bangladesh as well but you have got to back your players to learn. We have got to learn to land the first punch. We have got a lot of young guys looking to learn, luckily for us we are going straight into the series against West Indies. I never look at personal milestones, you always want your contributions to end up in a win. The stand with Babar was really good, we almost got through the entire day without losing a wicket, unfortunately Babar got out. He showed a lot of character to come out and open when we lost Saim. There have been a lot of instance where individuals in this team have shown characteristics similar to that and stood up

Marco Jansen is the Player of the Series for his all-round performance in the series, 10 wickets and 80 runs for him in the series. Here are his words: Yeah obviously didn't expect it but very very pleased. For me it's a lot of work for all of us. For me it's impacting the team in a positive way whether it's with the new ball, the old ball or when I come to bat. Regardless of my performance, I am happy if the team wins. Yeah I think that what makes good players. To make a plan when something is not going your way. It's then when you make a plan and try to get a positive result for the team and that is all we strive to do. In particular to score that quick 60 odd it was pleasing. I was seeing the ball well in the nets. The game in Pretoria, decision making wise and to make that contribution was special. Probably to put it like this, it's lot easier to bat than bowling (laughs).

Ryan Rickelton has been named as the Player of the Match for his 259 off 343, here's what he said: I am over the moon. Reflecting back on the first two days, it hasn't yet sunk in and over time I will look at it fondly. Great that the guys finished it off. It didn't feel easy, was more of a mental challenge. Didn't go with any expectations. It was about trusting myself and luckily it came off in this match. I think when you get into a bit of groove you tend to get far ahead of yourself. I try to stay true to myself and if I do it for long time, I give myself the opportunity to bat for longer periods. I definitely felt the vibe and the atmosphere. You feel a lot more when you get close to the milestone. A great moment to have my family in. Should be fine in a few days.

17:37 Local Time (21:07 IST): South Africa win the match by 10 wickets and clean sweep the series 2-0

Ryan Rickelton 259(343) | Kagiso Rabada 3/55 & 3/115
Shan Masood 145(251) & 2(6) | Mohammad Abbas 3/94 & 0/19

A dominating win by South Africa as it turns out and they have won it with all wickets in hand and more than an entire day to spare, this is also South Africa's 7th test win on the trot.

Handshakes all around amongst the players, South Africa have simply been the better side but Pakistan can take a lot of pride in the way they have put up a fightback in their second innings after being off-the-boil with the bat in the first time of asking.

In the end, the first innings effort from both the teams which was poles apart turned out to be the difference. South Africa got the opportunity to bat first on a flat deck and they piled up a mammoth total in front of a Pakistani bowling attack which looked toothless. A huge double hundred from Ryan Rickelton who finished with 259 was the highlights of the innings and his 235-run partnership with skipper Temba Bavuma set the platform for them. Bavuma got a brilliant hundred and so did Kyle Verreynne continuing his fine fettle as a keeper-batter as South Africa ended with 615 in the first innings.

Pakistan were hamstrung as Saim Ayub fractured his ankle in the first session itself while fielding and the young opener was a big miss in their batting innings. Babar Azam opened the innings with Shan Masood but they fell way under par and were bowled out for an underwhelming 194 with the South African bowlers sharing the wickets amongst themselves.

The game was all but done there itself with South Africa getting a 421-run lead in the first innings and they chose to inflict the follow on. Pakistan were miles ahead of their effort in the first innings with skipper Shan Masood leading the charge with a brilliant 100, Babar Azam got a good 81 too as the duo stitched a 205-run opening partnership and ignited the hopes of a comeback for the ages. The batters gave it their all with contributions right through the order but it was simply too tall a climb for them after their first innings effort. They batted for 122 overs in the second innings and got 478 but that still meant that South Africa had only 58 to chase.

It was always going to be a cakewalk and it turned out to be exactly that as Markaram and his new opening partner Bedingham got the job done in a jiffy and sealed the clean sweep for the Proteas.

7.1 Saud Shakeel to David Bedingham, punches away the length delivery a shade outside off, towards the cover region and takes a single to complete a dominating victory. South Africa win by 10 widkets. 

Six singles in that one and the scores are level now. The entire South African dressing room is ready to celebrate, Pakistan team is still having a chat about something, not sure what

6.6 Kamran Ghulam to David Bedingham, slowish on a fuller-length on the pads, flicked away towards the square leg region for a single. South Africa just need one more to win. 

6.4 Kamran Ghulam to David Bedingham, chips this flighted fuller-length delivery around middle, a bit aerially down towards the long-on region for a single. 

6.3 Kamran Ghulam to Aiden Markram, flatter on a length around middle, punched away from the crease towards the long-off region and takes a single. 

6.2 Kamran Ghulam to David Bedingham, on a goodish-length around middle, worked away from the crease towards the square leg region for a single. 

6.1 Kamran Ghulam to Aiden Markram, slower and shorter outside off, cut away off the backfoot towards the backward point fielder for a single.