3rd ODI between South Africa and Pakistan At Wanderers Stadium it was more than just a cricket match; It became a day full of joy and unforgettable landmarks. Although Pakistan had already secured the series with a 2-0 lead, the usual rosy ODI turned into a vibrant celebration of life and love.
A day of celebration that goes beyond cricket at Wanderers
The Pink ODI is held annually to raise awareness of breast cancer, and is a special event in South African cricket. The players wore their distinctive pink shirts, which symbolize hope and solidarity in the fight against breast cancer. This year, the atmosphere was lively, with a large crowd enjoying the summer vibes, enhanced by in-stadium DJ tracks that kept spirits high throughout the day.
As the match progressed, the audience enjoyed two poignant events that transcended the boundaries of sports. First, an announcement lit up on the scoreboard: “Congratulations Mr. and Mrs. Rapping on the birth of your healthy son in the bullring.” The couple welcomed their newborn at the stadium's medical facility, making this day unforgettable for them as they celebrated their baby's first moments surrounded by cricket fans.
Read also: South Africa's Heinrich Klassen was fined for kicking the stumps during the second ODI against Pakistan
Love blossoms amidst cricket
Adding to the emotional depth of the day was a romantic performance in front of thousands. During a break from playing, a viewer took center stage by kneeling down with a ring in his hand, and asking his girlfriend to marry him. Cheers erupted from the audience when she accepted his proposal, marking the beginning of their lifelong journey together. Moments like these remind us that cricket is not just about runs and wickets; It's also about bringing people together to celebrate important milestones in life.
‼️History was made when woman gave birth at Wanderers Cricket Ground while another couple got engaged during Pink Day in ODI‼️👩🏽🍼💍
The Raabings were assisted by paramedics and gave birth to a baby boy at 17:20 at JHB
The Proteas need 309 runs to win and avoid a series whitewash pic.twitter.com/VhAlVPhLtd
– Xoli Zondo (MBA) (@XoliswaZondo) December 22, 2024
Pakistan's dominant performance in the final ODI
On the cricket front, Pakistan put up a commendable show after being asked to bat first. Despite the difficult start with Abdullah Shafiq falling in love with golden duck, Saim Ayoub and Babar Azam Lock in roles with decisive partnership. Babar showed off his skill with a powerful fifty before being dismissed, while Ayub continued to stabilize the innings, reaching his second century of the series off just 91 balls. His innings included 13 fours and two sixes, illustrating his aggressive but calculated approach.
captain Muhammad Radwan She also contributed significantly with an active half-century, helping Pakistan register a massive total of 308 runs. Although they lost several wickets towards the end, their strong batting performance set up an exciting chase for South Africa.
When South Africa took to the field aiming for redemption in the last ODI, they faced an uphill battle against an all-rounder Pakistan side who fell short of the target by 36 runs. Perhaps labeled a 'dead rubber', the match ultimately turned into a celebration of life – both in terms of new beginnings for families and the love stories that unfold amidst the excitement of cricket.