Aamer Jamal took six for 69 as Pakistan claimed a slender first-innings lead in the third test against Australia on Friday but the home bowlers hit right back to leave the match in the balance heading into the final two days of the series.

India chased down a modest victory target of 79 to claim a seven-wicket win over hosts South Africa in the second test at Newlands and share the two-match series 1-1 after an extraordinary game finished inside five sessions.

South Africa will fancy their chances of victory if they can set India a target of 100 or more although captain Dean Elgar was at a loss to explain a frenetic opening day of the second and final test at Newlands.

Frontline fast bowlers Matt Henry and Lockie Ferguson are set to return to the Black Caps fold in the upcoming T20 series against Pakistan, two months after injuries curtailed their World Cup.

Test cricket remains the pinnacle of the game, Cricket South Africa (CSA) said after it was criticised for selecting a second-string squad featuring seven debutants for the country’s two fixtures in New Zealand next month.

Former Fiji women’s cricket player and captain Ruci Kaiwai Muriyalo is set to make history as she takes on the role of a cricket umpire at the Pacific Cup in Auckland on the 17th of this month.

Dean Elgar will looking to conclude his international career on another high as he unexpectedly captains South Africa in the second and last test against India, which starts at Newlands.

Australia opener David Warner said he had decided to call time on his one-day international and test careers to spend more time with his family.

New Zealand skipper Mitchell Santner took four wickets before a rearguard batting effort helped the hosts beat Bangladesh by 17 runs via the Duckworth–Lewis–Stern (DLS) method in the rain-hit third Twenty20 international on Sunday to level the series 1-1.

Captain Pat Cummins declared himself delighted at the end of a landmark year for Australian cricket as his 10-wicket haul in the second test win over Pakistan in Melbourne secured his entry into an elite band of bowlers.

Australia secured a Test series victory against Pakistan in Melbourne, winning by 79 runs.

South Africa shredded through the Indian batting line-up to claim victory by an innings and 32 runs in the first test, securing the win inside three days and ensuring their proud home record against the tourists remains intact.