RSA VS PAK - 5th ODI, Pakistan tour of South Africa, 2018-19

Curtains down on another ODI series, a thoroughly competitive one at that. South Africa, I'm sure, will have lesser headaches with regards to the World Cup combinations as Rassie van der Dussen shone brightly and proved what a toughie he is. Despite the series loss, Pakistan will feel amazingly relieved with their performance especially after the 3-0 thrashing in Tests. Still three more T20 games and it will be a wrap. The first one's at this very same venue starting @ 18:00 local on Friday. Do remember to tune in for that. Until then, this is Raju Peethala bidding adieu on behalf of Rishi Roy, Sriram AS and our ever-cheerful scorer Venky. Ciao!!

Faf du Plessis, winning captain: Yeah extremely happy, you could see that our best performance came tonight in a crunch game. It's good to see that when the stakes are high, the team has responded. The bowling was excellent and the fielding was good too. 240 - I expected the ball to skid a little more, but it was stopping a little when I batted. If someone like Quinton plays like that and brings the rate down, it makes it easier for the remaining batters. Would've liked to see Wiaan, etc. also get a go, but happy to seal the series clinically. We as a management are starting to see a bit of clarity in the squad, especially after this series. A few positions are still up for grabs, but there's surely more clarity now. I thought Pakistan played really good white-ball cricket, especially in the first four games, in all department. We might rest a few in the T20s, giving a few of the guys a much-needed breather. Lastly I'd like to thank the Newlands crowd tonight - you guys were great.

Imam-ul-Haq, Man of the Series: I had a point to prove and I want to thank the management, the captain and the batting coach. I have been working very hard for the last one and half years. I want to thank almighty and my parents too. We had a tough Test series and the ODI cricket feels a bit comfortable and I was in good nick in Asia Cup and in New Zealand series. I was working hard in the nets. Grant Flower was working hard with me and I knew if I can play with confidence and be mentally strong I can perform really well.

QDK, Man of the match: The wicket played better in the second innings and I just tried to take full toll of that. Obviously I like batting second in the ODIs and when I got out to the no-ball I told not to worry too much and focus on the way the game is going. I think when we chatted after Test matches we knew they had a good team and the wickets are quite flat and we always knew it's going to be a tough series. We know what they are capable of doing.

Shoaib Malik, losing skipper: Actually we played well in the previous game, but today our top three batters got starts. We wanted them to capitalize on that, but it didn't happen. If they do well then you have great chance of winning the game. There were couple of 20s and 30s but we couldn't capitalize on that. We have quite a few cricket before getting into the World Cup. Imam is improving day by day and the way he is playing I think that is a very good sign for Pakistan. White ball cricket is all about the first three batters, if they give you good start you win most games. Shaheeen gave us a wicket today also. We needed a couple of quick wickets today which didn't happen. Want to creditd QDK for his amazing knock. Looking forward to the T20s.

20:13 local, 23:13 PKT: Just like their batting, Pakistan didn't seem to have a plan with their bowling. de Kock was out off a no-ball on 12, and he made the most of his luck with a rollicking 58-ball 83 taking the game out of Pakistan's reach. South Africa at no stage felt the pressure of a run-chase and it needed a calm head in Faf and equally composed van der Dussen to steer them off to a yawning victory at home. Handshakes all around as the players engage in a chitter-chatter session around the sidelines. Presentations imminent. Stay tuned...

Shadab Khan to van der Dussen, SIX, van der Dussen is going to the World Cup. He's on the flight to England. I'll be really susrpised if he doesn't make it. What.A.Star. Six needed for the victory and for his fifty too, he shimmies down and pumps Shadab Khan straight back over his head for a neat maximum. Game over! South Africa seal the series 3-2

Shadab Khan to van der Dussen, 2 runs, makes room and drives the full delivery wide of extra cover

Shadab Khan to van der Dussen, no run, leggie outside off stump, van der Dussen lets it be

Shadab Khan to du Plessis, 1 run, eases a single to long-off and brings up his 31st ODI fifty. Gets a congratulatory handshake from his partner

Shadab Khan to du Plessis, no run, skidder outside off, keeps low too, Faf goes back and across to keep it out

Shadab Khan to du Plessis, FOUR, chases a full legbreak and gives it a full monty on the drive, a thick edge and it runs away wide of the man at backward point

Shaheen Afridi to van der Dussen, no run, fuller than the good length outside off, patted into the covers

Shaheen Afridi to van der Dussen, no run, lifter outside off, van der Dussen doesn't bother with it

Shaheen Afridi to van der Dussen, no run, veering in towards off, van der Dussen brings his bat down in time to jam it into the pitch

Shaheen Afridi to du Plessis, 1 run, full and a shade outside off stump. Faf drives to the left of mid-on and nabs a quick single

Shaheen Afridi to du Plessis, no run, shuffles down the pitch and aborts the pull shot, the bumper was high and wide of off

Shaheen Afridi to du Plessis, no run, goes round the wicket and bowls it around off stump, Faf nudges it with soft hands into the off-side

Shadab Khan to van der Dussen, no run, pushed into the covers off the front foot

Shadab Khan to du Plessis, 1 run, chips down the track and biffs the full ball to deep mid-on