The visitors have it all to do as South Africa and Pakistan get ready to lock horns in the fourth ODI at the Wanderers on Sunday.
Having started the series with an emphatic win, Pakistan find themselves trailing 2-1 in the five-match series after defeats at Durban and Centurion.
Ahead of the all-important clash at Johannesburg, we take a look at the key talking points.
SELL OUT CROWD FOR PINK DAY FIXTURE
The fourth ODI between the two sides will honour the Pink Day tradition that has been in place for the last six years in South Africa. Incorporated to raise awareness about breast cancer, the Pink Day fixture has become an annual tradition for South African cricket.
A sell-out crowd is expected at the Wanderers with the hosts set to turn up in their special pink jerseys for the occasion. The Proteas have not yet been beaten even once in eight Pink Day fixtures so far and as such, Pakistan will have their work cut out on Sunday.
The Proteas will be out in their special pink jerseys.
FAKHAR ZAMAN FEELING THE HEAT
The rain-affected third ODI saw Pakistan opener Imam-ul-Haq silence his critics in style with a superb century. However, the same cannot be said of his opening partner Fakhar Zaman who has failed to get going since his arrival in South Africa.
The left-hander had a miserable time in the Test series defeat to the Proteas and that poor form has clung on to him in the ODIs as well. The opener could only muster 26 runs in the first ODI before being dismissed for just two runs at Centurion.
With Shan Masood waiting in the wings after his excellent showing in the Test series, Fakhar’s place in the squad could come under question with another poor display. He needs to find form fairly soon, for both his and Pakistan’s sake.
Fakhar Zaman has had a poor tour so far.
RUNS EXPECTED TO FLOW AT WANDERERS
Both teams excelled in the batting department in the third ODI at Centurion and the same can be expected to continue at the Wanderers.
The venue has seen three 400-plus totals over the years including South Africa’s famous successful chase of 434 against Australia in 2006. The last time South Africa and Pakistan went head to head at the Wanderers, both teams crossed the 300-run mark with the hosts ultimately winning by 34 runs.
As such, batsmen will be expected to rule the roost in the fourth ODI while the bowlers from both sides will be wary of a hiding.
Batsmen can expect to make merry at the Wanderers.
SARFRAZ CONTROVERSY TAKES A BACK SEAT
The series had been thrown into controversy during the second ODI when Pakistan skipper Sarfraz Ahmed’s racially charged crude comments to all-rounder Andile Phehlukayo were picked up by the stump mics.
Amidst the social media outrage, Sarfraz took to Twitter to issue a general apology. The hosts sought to play down the turn of events as well with Faf du Plessis stating that the team had accepted Sarfraz’s apology.
Ahead of the third ODI at Centurion, Sarfraz further diffused tensions by personally rendering an apology to Phehlukwayo.
There has been no word as of yet on the ICC inquiry against the Pakistan skipper although match referee Ranjan Madugalle had submitted his report on the matter. Whether the ICC take any action of their own against Sarfraz remains to be seen but for now, cricket will take the front seat for the remainder of the series.
The Sarfraz controversy takes a back seat for now.
