South Africa vs Pakistan, 2nd Test at Cape Town, SA vs PAK, Jan 03 2025 - Ball by Ball Commentary

6.15pm: Right, that's a wrap from us. Danyal's report is in, and there'll be plenty more from the Cape Town Two. There's still a bit of Test cricket left in this WTC cycle, with West Indies heading to Pakistan and Australia in Sri Lanka - but the focus will soon swing to the WTC final in June. Anyway, thanks for keeping us company during this one. From myself, Miller, Ekanth and Rvel, as well as Sudeep and the scorers, it's goodbye for now. Cheerio!

5.55pm: Right, time for the presentations. Ryan Rickelton is Player of the Match after his 259: "Over the moon to get a win in the Test. First few days for me, it hasn't sunk in but over time it'll be something I'll look back on fondly. Hell of a series and glad the guys got over the line. [Opening?] Not as easy as it seemed at times. Mental challenge, went in with low expectations. Once I got my head around it, I trusted myself to do what I do for long periods of time and this week it came through. When you get in a groove, you can get too far ahead of yourself. Tried to remain present and focus on the job in hand. Felt the vibe an atmosphere, especially when you get close to the milestones. [Newlands] Very special support, my family was here as well. Special Test."

Marco Jansen is Player of the Series: "Bit unexpected but very very pleased. A lot of work for all of us, for me trying to impact the team whenever I get an opportunity: new ball, when the ball gets older, or coming into bat. Trying to get the team into position [to win]. That's what makes the great players great: make a plan when it's not going your way, or the pitch is flat. I didn't feel good with the bat but to come out and score that fifty was really pleasing. [Laughing] It's a lot easier to bat 120 overs than to bowl 120 overs."

Pakistan captain Shan Masood: "Lot of good things, knowing that we did really well in Centurion but didn't close it out. Even here, we didn't start off well, with ball and bat. Conceding too many runs initially, then we folded with the bat on a really nice surface. But the fightback, we made our highest score against SA in Test cricket. Individually people stepped up. [But] we need to learn how to win the crucial moments. We bounced back well against England. With backs against the wall we did well. We need to learn how to land the first punch. We have a lot of young cricketers who will learn, and luckily we go straight into another series with West Indies. [Hundred?] I never look at personal milestones. You want it to end up in a winning cause. To have that stand with Babar, to fight back after being sent back in. His character, to step up and open the innings - that pleased me more than anything. A lot of individuals in this team have stepped up when required."

South Africa captain Temba Bavuma: "[Most pleasing aspect?] The result. We won the first game, we qualified for the [WTC] final and we had some time before coming here, so for the guys to get themselves up and get motivated, that's what I'm pleased about. It's satisfying, good old Test cricket that we're used to. There's was something for the new-ball bowlers and then it flattened out, and our batters dug in for a good score. Late on day four there was some spin. It's what we were accustomed to growing up. It will put us in good stead, but there are also lessons about how we can get better. [Maphaka] Exuberance of youth, a guy who's super confident and wants to be in the contest. He never had his head down and always wanted to make a play for the team. [WTC final at Lord's] Looking forward to it, up against Australia so it's not going to be any mean feat. We'll enjoy the moment."

5.40pm: Handshakes all round as the sun over Cape Town begins to dip behind the mountains. South Africa had this game in the palm of their hand after racking up 615, on the back of Ryan Rickelton's mammoth double-hundred - but they were made to work for it after enforcing the follow on, and that despite Pakistan only playing with 10, following Saim Ayub's unfortunate injury on the first day. They eventually broke the tourists' resolve late on day four, going on to seal a 2-0 win that guarantees them top spot in the WTC standings. Pakistan, meanwhile, sit second from bottom ahead of their final fixtures at home to last-placed West Indies later this month

Getting 'em in singles now

"I was hoping to see Babar with the ball : (" wails Khan

Brings the target into single-figures

Abbas is replaced Kamran Ghulam

"Perhaps the appropriate question is: what is the lowest 4th inning defence?" That would be this one, Jake