South Africa vs Pakistan, 3rd ODI - Live Cricket Score, Commentary

50 for Fakhar

He is looking good once again. Law of averages aren't working in his case. You would have anticipated a failure on the back of a stupendous 193 but Fakhar Zaman has breached fifty and will fancy his chances of registering three figures.

Yes, he can!!

Maharaj strikes for South Africa as Imam falls for 57. The opener wanted to take on the long on fielder to fetch a massive six but he fails in his execution to offer a straightforward catch to the man at the deep. South Africa are elated. Babar Azam is the new man in.

100 for Pakistan, 50 for Imam

This is an excellent start made by the visitors. Imam has helped himself to his second fifty of the series and Fakhar is looking good for a big score as well. In the process, these two have added 100 for the opening wicket. With 19 overs gone already, we might see one of these opening up shortly. Can Maharaj provide South Africa the much-needed breakthrough?

50-run stand

Fakhar is picking up pace now. He was quite slow to begin with but a huge six over midwicket has brought him back on track. Imam and Fakhar are involved in a half-century stand and the hosts will have to find a way to break this stand. From 35/0 in 9 overs, Pakistan have raced to 61/0 in 13 overs.

Sedate start

South Africa were smart enough to use Markram with the new ball for a few overs. He did keep things quiet and Pakistan have been cautious enough. Only 35 runs have been scored in the first nine overs and the hosts will be pretty pleased with that. Their bowlers have resorted to a shortish length though and might want to change that in their pursuit of a wicket.

Toss -South Africa opt to bowl

Perhaps the smartest decision going into a big game with a lot of absentees. South Africa have made wholesale changes to their XI. Daryn Dupavillon and Lutho Sipamla and Beuran Hendricks have a huge task ahead of them replacing the pace trio of Nortje, Rabada and Ngidi. Janneman Malan will open the innings in place of Quinton de Kock. JJ Smuts and Kyle Verreynn have come in for RVD and Miller. Keshav Maharaj gets a game in place of Tabraiz Shamsi. Wow!! Good luck.

Teams:

South Africa (Playing XI): Aiden Markram, Janneman Malan, JJ Smuts, Temba Bavuma(c), Kyle Verreynne, Heinrich Klaasen(w), Andile Phehlukwayo, Keshav Maharaj, Daryn Dupavillon, Beuran Hendricks, Lutho Sipamla

Pakistan (Playing XI): Imam-ul-Haq, Fakhar Zaman, Babar Azam(c), Mohammad Rizwan, Sarfaraz Ahmed(w), Mohammad Nawaz, Faheem Ashraf, Hasan Ali, Shaheen Afridi, Usman Qadir, Haris Rauf

Build up

Try telling the South African and Pakistani contingent that the entire world's focus is only on the IPL. Those two groups have only one focus heading into this crucial game today and that is to get their hands on the trophy. It's been a pretty good series so far tied 1-1 and it could have very well finished in Pakistan's favour by now if not for that crazy moment involving Quinton de Kock and Fakhar Zaman. The Pakistan opener made 193 and still saw his side finish on the losing side. Without a doubt, it was one of the most heroic failures witnessed in the history of the game.

The Pakistan opener will be determined to make amends this time though. And he will be aided by a depleted South African side who will be without some of their biggest stars in the decider. Kagiso Rabada, de Kock, Anrich Nortje and David Miller have left for the IPL. Rassie van der Dussen unfortunately has been ruled out as well. How will Temba Bavuma manage to rally his troops to topple Pakistan over 100 overs remains to be seen. At the end of the day, home advantage is all they have. Welcome to the live blog for this series decider. Hopefully, we witness an absorbing contest.