South Africa collapse against spin as Pakistan claim ODI series victory
The Proteas suffered a calamitous batting collapse as Pakistan claimed a seven-wicket win in the third and final ODI in Faisalabad on Saturday and with it a 2-1 series victory.
Proteas all-rounder Corbin Bosch: 'I still need to pinch myself that everything is real'
Playing in only his second game, Bosch scored his maiden Test century (100 not out) - batting at number eight - and then took his first five-wicket haul (5-43) in the second innings as the Proteas cantered to a 328-run win at the Queen's Sports Club.
Bosch is the first Proteas player to score a hundred and bag a five-wicket haul in the same Test match since Kallis achieved the feat against Bangladesh in October 2002.
It has been a whirlwind start to his Test career for the 30-year-old, who scored an unbeaten 81 and took a wicket with his first ball on debut against Pakistan in December.
Bosch told the media: "It's super special. I haven't come to grips with it quite yet… but it's an honour to be mentioned in the same conversation as Jacques.
"I still need to pinch myself that everything is real. I pretty much have had a magical seven to 12-month period. I played some really, really good cricket, but I've surrounded myself with some fantastic people that have just guided me and pushed me, even when times were tough.
"I knew that eventually, when I get the opportunity, that I was going to try and grab it with both hands. Fortunately for me the rub of the green has gone my way thus far, and hopefully it may continue."
Bosch was part of the Proteas' squad but not the starting XI for the World Test Championship final victory against Australia at Lord's last month.
The Proteas have decided to rest a number of senior players for the series in Zimbabwe and Bosch has already taken his opportunity in the first Test to put pressure on the regulars.
He added: "I think we have a healthy competition in South Africa at the moment. I said to (head coach) Shuks (Conrad) that I'm going to make his job as hard as possible, whether it’s the bat and the ball.
"But we're in a fortunate position in South Africa that it's such a good and healthy competition that it forces the guys at the top to be at their game.
"I don't know where I stand in the pecking order, but it doesn't bother me If I represent my country. I just want to give it my best.
"If I'm on the side, I will support the guys to the end. So to me, I don't really focus on that."
Bosch will get another opportunity to perform in the second Test against Zimbabwe that gets underway at the same venue from Saturday.
Quinton de Kock masterclass powers South Africa to ODI series leveller in Faisalabad
Quinton de Kock produced a batting masterclass as South Africa crushed Pakistan by eight wickets in the second ODI in Faisalabad, chasing down 270 with nearly 10 overs to spare to level the three-match series 1-1.
Proteas fight hard until the death but Pakistan come out on top in first ODI
The Proteas fought to the bitter end but ultimately fell to a two-wicket defeat with two balls to spare against Pakistan in the first ODI in Faisalabad on Tuesday.
Already depleted Proteas lose Dewald Brevis to injury for ODI series in Pakistan
Dewald Brevis has been ruled out of the Proteas' three-match ODI series in Pakistan, that starts in Faisalabad on Tuesday, after suffering a low-grade shoulder muscle strain.