The verbal explosion
Dale Steyn is known for being fiery and after his second over went for 12 runs, he exploded close to the stump microphone. He launched into a series of expletives as he collected his cap from the umpire Johan Cloete, who asked if he had done something to tick the fast man off. "No, not you, but everything's a problem," Steyn yelled back. He was given a few overs' break to cool off before continuing again.
The catch
Hashim Amla had already taken one athletic catch while fielding at slip earlier in the UAE leg of the series, and he showed it was not a one-off when he repeated the feat today. Wayne Parnell's first delivery found some swing and Ahmed Shehzad could not resist trying to cut it away. He flashed hard but got only an outside edge. Amla had to jump at slip and stick both hands up in the air, but ended up taking the catch with only his right hand and then steadying himself before clasping it both hands.
The plan
A wily customer, Aaron Phangiso has made a reputation for out-thinking batsmen. He saw Mohammad Hafeez charge him with the first ball he bowled and then saw Nasir Jamshed doing the same. Phangiso bowled wide outside the off stump, but Jamshed had come too far down the track, and Quinton de Kock was able to complete a simple stumping.
The humble celebration
After sending Phangiso back for two straight sixes over his head, Hafeez notched up his highest score against South Africa across the matches the teams have played in the series in the UAE and here, and he did not stop there. After sweeping a JP Duminy low full toss for four, Hafeez brought up his fifty off 34 balls, and gave himself a reason to celebrate after what has been a lean patch for him so far. He did not smile too widely, though. A small acknowledgement to the dugout, and a brief clap of his hands, was all Hafeez allowed himself before getting on with the job.
The injury-to-insult moment
With Hafeez in full flow and David Wiese struggling to find his lines and lengths, runs were expected. Hafeez played a late cut off Wiese which screamed towards Steyn at third man. Steyn moved in to collect, but the ball beat him as he dived face-down onto the field. He appeared to have hit his nose and chin on the ground and stood up wiping them, checking his hand for blood, and swearing like only Steyn can.
The last laugh
ultimately went to Steyn. Hafeez's onslaught against South Africa's seamers gave him the confidence to try and launch Steyn out of the park as well. When Steyn was brought back on for his second spell in the last quarter of the innings, Hafeez tried to smash him down the ground but mishit the back of a length delivery to mid-off where AB de Villiers took the catch. Steyn had a giggle the last time he dismissed Hafeez, this time he just nodded and smiled. Hafeez, by contrast, was expressionless as he walked off.
The shot
South Africa required more than ten an over but had de Villiers at the crease so there would have been little panic. He showed what he is capable of when he made room and drilled Hafeez through the covers inside out.