Heavy rain returned to Johannesburg during the third and final ODI on Sunday, shortly after Abdullah Shafique’s early exit.
The unexpected downpour brought play to a halt as full covers were placed over the ground, leaving players and fans awaiting clearer skies. Damp conditions and looming clouds raised doubts about the completion of the match.
Pakistan’s Struggles at the Crease
Abdullah Shafique’s poor run with the bat continued as he was dismissed for a duck once again. Kagiso Rabada bowled a precision delivery, angling in at the top of off-stump, which caught the splice of Shafique’s bat as he made an uncertain poke. The ball flew to second slip, where Aiden Markram, positioned at first slip, dived to secure a clean catch.
This early dismissal frustrated Shafique, marking yet another disappointing outing for the young batter.
Toss Update
South Africa won the toss and chose to bowl first in the final ODI. Captain Temba Bavuma explained the decision: “With the overhead conditions and rain around, it might be slower, tacky, and offer something for the new-ball bowlers.”
The hosts, confident in their strategy, sought to exploit the bowling-friendly conditions early on. Pakistan, meanwhile, made three changes to their lineup, handing an ODI debut to Sufiyan Muqeem and recalling Tayyab Tahir and Mohammad Hasnain.
Weather Interruptions and Series Context
Earlier, heavy rain had already caused delays in the match, which was part of the annual “pink ODI” campaign supporting cancer awareness. The weather forced officials to cover the field, with a third umpire confirming inspections would follow once the rain ceased.
Despite the interruptions, Pakistan had already secured the series. However, this match remained a vital opportunity for the team to fine-tune their game ahead of the upcoming Champions Trophy. Fans eagerly waited for play to resume, hoping to enjoy the action and celebrate the game’s cause.
