[In Pictures] Woman gives birth, couple gets engaged during SA vs PAK 2024 3rd ODI
South Africa and Pakistan squared off against each other in the third ODI of their SA vs PAK 2024 three-match series at The Wanderers Stadium in Johannesburg on Sunday, December 22. It was an eventful day at the stadium, not just for the riveting cricketing action.
During the ODI, a woman gave birth to a baby boy. During Pakistan's innings, a message flashed on the big screen to congratulate Mr and Mrs Rabeng for the birth of their child in the stadium.
Sports presenter Xoli Zondo said that the couple were assisted by a medical team at The Wanderers and their son was born at 17:50 (local time). Zondo also revealed that a couple also got engaged during the match.
She wrote on the microblogging platform X:
"History made as woman gives birth at Wanderers Cricket Stadium while another couple got engaged during the Pink Day ODI. The Rabeng’s were assisted by the Medics and gave birth to a baby boy at 17:20 in JHB."
It is worth mentioning that the SA vs PAK 2024 3rd ODI was a pink ODI. The Proteas donned pink jerseys for the fixture to spread awareness for breast cancer, a tradition that began in 2013.
SA vs PAK 2024 ended with Pakistan becoming the first team to whitewash South Africa in a bilateral ODI series at home
South Africa suffered their first-ever whitewash in a bilateral home ODI series following their 36-run (DLS method) defeat to Pakistan on Sunday. The visitors had already pocketed the series by claiming an unassailable 2-0 lead with back-to-back wins in the first two fixtures.
The hosts won the toss and chose to field first in the SA vs PAK 2024 third ODI, which was reduced to a 47-over-per-side game due to rain. Pakistani opener Saim Ayub stole the show with the bat, scoring 101 runs off 94 balls. This was the southpaw's second ton of the series.
Babar Azam (52) notched up a fine half-century, as Pakistan posted 308/9 on the board after 47 overs. Kagiso Rabada was the pick of the South African bowlers, returning with a three-wicket haul.
Chasing the revised 308-run DLS target, South Africa were bowled out for 271, courtesy of left-arm spinner Sufiyan Muqeem's fantastic spell of 8-1-52-4. Heinrich Klaasen was the top performer with the bat for the home team with a blistering 81-run knock.
South Africa and Pakistan will now compete in a two-match Test series. The SA vs PAK 2024 Test series kicks off on Boxing Day (December 26) in Centurion.