Live cricket score, South Africa vs Pakistan, Day 2, 3rd Test, Wanderers

South Africa in driver's seat

Wickets and runs were again the order of the day as South Africa seized control of the proceedings at stumps on Day 3 of the Wanderers Test versus Pakistan. The hosts were 212 runs in front with five wickets still in hand at close of play.

After bundling out Pakistan for just 185, the hosts would have hoped to build a healthy lead without losing too many wickets up front. However, Pakistan's pacers continued to bowl with unremitting control and discipline to cause a few flutters in the South African camp.

Dean Elgar, the stand in captain, was the first one to fall, dislodged by Mohammad Amir. Initially, the appeal for caught behind was turned down, but Pakistan got it reversed it via a review. Mohammad Abbas then tempted Aiden Markram to edge one behind with Sarfraz Ahmed grabbing a sharp catch.

Zubayr Hamza and de Bruyn didn't last long and at 45 for 4, Pakistan seemed to have found a way back. At that crucial stage, Hashim Amla (42*), who has been battling for form, and Temba Bavuma joined forces to wade through the tough phase. The duo also played the occasional cut and drive to keep the scorecard ticking over.

For a while, Pakistan looked flat but Shadab Khan lifted the home side to an extent by sending Bavuma back to the hut. Quinton de Kock (34*) and Amla then took South Africa to the stumps. It has been a gritty innings so far from Amla.

The first two sessions too had its fair share of thrills and spills. At the start of the day, South Africa would have hoped to make initial incisions. However, it didn't go according to plan as they fluffed a slew of chances. In the 16th over, Temba Bavuma, put down a simple chance in the slip cordon to give Mohammad Abbas a reprieve. It got worse for the home side, as in the very next over, Theunis de Bruyn fluffed one at second slip with Imam ul Haq getting a reprieve and Steyn being the unlucky bowler.

There was more misery in store for Steyn and South Africa, as Abbas eked out yet another edge only for Quinton de Kock to dive in front of Amla at first slip and put down the third chance of the morning. The misery piled on when the athletic de Kock dived full length for the second time in front of Amla as another chance went begging in the 24th over, with Imam being the lucky batsman once again.

Eventually, South Africa's pacers were rewarded for their hard toil when Olivier took the scalps of Abbas and Asad Shafiq. After the break, Pakistan's duo of Sarfraz Ahmed (50) and Babar Azam came out with a plan to counterattack and succeeded for a while. It was Sarfraz who led from the front, playing an array of shots - he punched, drove, cut and flicked to the boundary hoardings.

Babar too looked in good nick as the pair strung together a stand of 78 in just over 10 overs. Eventually, Kagiso Rabada, the spearhead, provided the breakthrough by dismissing Safraz. Olivier, who has reigned supreme through the course of the series, then removed Babar. The pair soon provided the finishing touches to snuff out the home side for a modest total. Olivier also finished with another five-wicket haul for the series and now has a rich haul of 21 wickets in the rubber so far.

Bavuma dislodged

Bavuma and Amla paddled through the tough phase. And the pair looked set o string together a vital stand. However, at a crucial juncture, Bavuma played back to a delivery that he should have been forward and edged it to the 'keeper.

Another collapse?

De Bruyn and Amla played cautiously before the former fell to Ashraf. It was a good length delivery and bowled outside off. De Bruyn could have left it alone but went chasing and was dismissed. De Bruyn's place is under scrutiny and that kind of a false shot won't help his cause.

To make matters worse, Hamza too fell with Ashraf picking up his second wicket in the over. The debutant played across and was adjudged LBW. This has been a fast-paced Test match and one can't take eyes off it.

Amla also was given out (lbw) off Hasan but he took the review and replays suggested he had eked out an edge. Phew! Action and more action.

To throw in more spice, a swarm of bees are buzzing around Hasan Ali when he is charging into the crease!! It forced him to wear a sunglass.

Two down

Wickets continue to tumble. The Test match is moving at a frenetic pace with Markram edging one behind off the immaculate Abbas and Sarfraz grabbing a sharp catch by diving across. Two down.

Another fascinating session...

Just like the first session, the second session of the final Test between South Africa and Pakistan at the Wanderers, too, turned out to be exhilarating. Sarfraz Ahmed (50) and Babar Azam (49) put up a fine exhibition of stroke-pay. However, once the duo was dismissed, Duanne Olivier scythed through the rest of the order to pick up a five-wicket haul, as Pakistan were bundled out for 185, trailing by 77 after the first innings. South Africa extended the lead and finished the second session 102 runs in front.

Pakistan began the afternoon session in a spot of bother at 111 for 5. It was Sarfraz who led from the front by exploring all parts of the ground. The wicketkeeper-batsman played an array of shots - he punched, drove, cut and flicked to the boundary hoardings.

Babar too looked in good nick as the pair strung together a stand of 78 in just over 10 overs. At that stage, South Africa were searching for answers and it was Kagiso Rabada, the spearhead, who provided the breakthrough by dismissing Safraz. Olivier, who has reigned supreme through the course of the series, then removed Babar. It was a soft dismissal as the middle order batsman pulled one straight into the hands of the fielder behind square on the on side. Olivier and Rabada also provided the finishing touches to snuff out the home side for a modest total.

Despite finding themselves behind in the game, Pakistan's pacers bowled with penetration and also found success as Mohammad Amir picked up the scalp of Dean Elgar just before the break. Pakistan's initial appeal for a caught behind against the opener was turned down but overturned on review

Another five-for...

Olivier is in the form of his life. Another five-wicket haul for the speedster. He hits the bat hard and at good pace; suited for these kind of wickets. Pakistan are nine down now.

Rabada provided the finishing touches by sending Shadab back to the hut. South Africa gain a crucial first innings lead of 77.

Soft dismissal...

Pakistan's cricket team is a mix of everything. Stunning bowling, exhilarating shots and now soft dismissals. Faheem Ashraf tried an ordinary pull without getting into any position to play the stroke and edged one to the FSL fielder. We have seen everything today. What next??

Rabada, Olivier put SA back on top!

Unfortunately, the counterattack didn't last for too long as after crunching an enterprising 40-ball 50, Sarfraz edged it to Amla. Wait! The ball popped out of his hand but Amla took it on the rebound. End of an exhilarating innings.

Olivier then continued his dream in the series as he forced Azam to pull one only to be caught behind square on the leg side. Azam yet again looked good but couldn't convert the start into a big one.