South Africa vs Pakistan, 3rd ODI at Abu Dhabi, , Nov 06 2013 - Ball by Ball Commentary

Time for the presentation:

Misbah-ul-Haq: Again the same problem with us in the batting order and we couldn't change a good start into a big one, we kept losing wickets. It was an ideal start for us, but 20s and 30s are not going to win the game for us. 70s, 80s and 100s will win us the game and that's what we are missing. The target was gettable as boundaries were coming freely with the new ball, it was a matter of playing 50 overs. The ball was coming nicely on the bat. Wahab and Tanvir gave some confidence to the team with the fight there and shows the batsmen that if you apply yourselves, you can sore runs. We need to score at least 250 against a team like SA to beat them.

Faf du Plessis is the Man of the Match: It's been a tough time so I'm thankful to this performance, especially when the team wins. I've enjoyed batting up the order and hopefully I can give some more of those at No. 3. I was under massive pressure but you have to keep trying, you can never give up. I've been hitting the ball well and it's just about settling in the middle. When you get an opportunity, you cash in with a 70 or 80. I love fielding and when I always try contributing with the ball and in the field.

AB de Villiers: Very happy with our performance, we stuck to the basics and got a few partnerships going. Always easier to play with players like Amla and Steyn. We lost a couple of wickets at the wrong time but better performance today and our bowlers came to the party. We tried to limit the damage with bowling and fielding changes and tried to upset the rhythm which Shehzad was getting into. Steyn is a wonderful bowler, he's close to perfect. He brings in intensity to the team and he ups the pace of the game. Lopsy's second spell was unbelievable and Tahir's breakthroughs were really crucial and Dale brings this intensity which is irreplaceable. Faf was under pressure to perform and that's how big players perform. We want to come with the same kind of energy in the next match to win the series here itself in the next ODI.

That's all we have for you today, we'll see you for the next ODI after a day's gap on Friday. Till then, it's Vishal Dikshit signing off with the scorers Venkat Raghav and Binoy George, goodbye and good luck!

10.40pm The Wahab-Tanvir partnership showed it's not so tough to bat here and South Africa complete a clinical 68-run win to lead 2-1 now. Pakistan got off to a flier with Shehzad looking in great touch, but once Steyn got him out for 32, their middle order couldn't keep them on track for the chase. Tsotsobe's second spell stifled them further and Tahir's 4 for 53, including Misbah's wicket, virtually finished things off. Pakistan's batting concerns continue as South Africa got rid of some of their to post 259 earlier in the day.

Alex: "Quite amusing that if you look at the scorecard you'll notice that the only player to not make any real contribution today was Amla for a change. All-round team performance"

Imran Tahir rushed off the ground after completing his spell

SA are two wickets away now, Pakistan need 83