Babar, Rizwan, Ghulam fifties set South Africa 330 to draw level

49.5 overs Pakistan 329 (Rizwan 80, Babar 73, Ghulam 63, Maphaka 4-72) vs South Africa

Babar Azam scored his first half-century in 22 innings across formats in internationals, combining with his old friend Mohammad Rizwan in a 115-run third wicket partnership as Pakistan set South Africa an imposing 330 to chase. That number never looked as steep when those two were batting, though, and only ballooned to that size thanks to a blistering late flurry from Kamran Ghulam, who bludgeoned 63 off 32 balls. South Africa fell away sharply with their lines as well as in the fielding as Pakistan plundered 128 off the last 12 overs to give themselves a golden chance of winning the series at the earliest opportunity.

The returning Temba Bavuma had opted to field first on a picture-perfect day at Newlands, and South Africa made a similarly dreamy start when Marco Jansen knocked over Abdullah Shafique for a second successive duck. But South Africa only truly perked up when Saim Ayub was removed at the tailend of the powerplay, slashing at a wide one off debutant Kwena Maphaka, and finding Rassie van der Dussen well placed at deep third.

Pakistan’s level of urgency tailed away immediately, with Babar and Rizwan opting for the more classical pacing that comes so naturally to them. Both were trying to work their way back into the runs, and with South Africa happy to strangle the run-scoring than go after the wickets, it appeared for a while that the game entered a passage of play where each side was getting what they wanted.

There were still moments of belligerence, such as when Rizwan smeared Aiden Markram over cow corner for six, and Babar milked the spinners for the occasional boundary. But the scoring rate steadily hovered between 4.75 and 5.1, and it was evident Pakistan were backloading the innings.

Babar had gone past 50 and seemed to be edging towards that elusive hundred, but then he slapped Andile Phehlukwayo straight to Markram at short midwicket, who just about held on after it thudded into his chest. Maphaka got rid of Rizwan with a splendid diving return catch, and South Africa suddenly had the momentum.

But Ghulam put paid to any such notions. Alongside Salman Agha, who punished some errant South African bowling, Ghulam demonstrated his value as a lower-order power hitter, making splendid use of his bottom hand as he smashed five sixes in a whirlwind of a knock. The half-century came up in just 25 deliveries, with both pace and spin taken to task. Irfan Khan, Shaheen Afridi and Haris Rauf were good value for the odd six from the other end, but until he holed out to Maphaka in the final over, the late charge was largely down to Ghulam. In about three hours’ time, those back-end runs may well prove series-sealing.