CENTURION: South Africa defeated Pakistan by two wickets in the first test at the SuperSport Park on Sunday and qualified for the World Test Championship (WTC) final.
Hosts tailenders Kagiso Rabada and Marco Jansen demonstrated nerves of steel and put together a match-winning 51-run partnership to defy Pakistan’s comeback. They batted sensibly to recover their team from 99/6.
The day started with the home side resuming their innings from 27/3 through Aiden Markram and skipper Temba Bavuma, while chasing a modest 148.
South Africa’s nail-biting win against Pakistan confirms the first #WTC25 Finalist 👀https://t.co/Bvk3ANUa0a
— ICC (@ICC) December 29, 2024
The two stretched their overnight partnership to 43 runs until Abbas dismissed Markram, who scored 37 off 63 deliveries with the help of six boundaries.
The pacer soon got rid of South Africa’s skipper Bavuma who remained the top-scorer for the Proteas Men with a cautious 40 off 78 deliveries, comprised of four fours and a six.
Naseem Shah finally opened his account by dismissing wicketkeeper batter Kyle Verreynne, who made just two.
South Africa win the first Test by two wickets despite Mohammad Abbas’ career-best bowling figures.#SAvPAK pic.twitter.com/SWtL89p0oU
— Pakistan Cricket (@TheRealPCB) December 29, 2024
Mohammad Abbas further pushed South Africa to the backfoot by dismissing David Bedingham (14) and debutant Corbin Bosch (zero) on successive deliveries, reducing the home side to 99/8.
After the catastrophic collapse, Marco Jansen and Kagiso Rabada fought well to take the hosts’ total to 116/8 with a crucial 17-run partnership.
For Pakistan, Mohammad Abbas took six wickets, while Naseem and Khurram Shahzad picked one.
Earlier, Pakistan’s pacers made a strong impact on Day Three of the first test leaving South Africa at 27/3 in their run chase of 148. The hosts were rocked by two early wickets in the first five overs of their second innings.
Opening batter Tony de Zorzi fell for just two, followed by Ryan Rickelton who was dismissed for a duck.
After the washout of the morning session due to constant rain, Pakistan resumed their second innings in the second session, with Babar Azam and Saud Shakeel at the crease.
The pair provided a crucial 79-run stand for the fourth wicket, offering some stability to Pakistan’s innings.
Babar managed to score a half-century off 85 balls but was dismissed by Marco Jansen leading to the collapse of the visitor’s batting line-up.
Jansen’s fiery spell saw Mohammad Rizwan (3) and Agha Salman (1) dismissed quickly, leaving Pakistan at 158/6.
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Saud Shakeel, however, stood firm and was joined briefly by Aamer Jamal, who added 18 before falling to a sharp bouncer from Dane Paterson. Pakistan found themselves struggling at 208/7 in 49.5 overs.
Kagiso Rabada put further pressure, dismissing Naseem Shah for a duck in the post-tea session. Pakistan ended the session at 212/8, with a lead of 122 runs.
Saud Shakeel’s resistance was finally broken by Jansen who scored 84 runs. Pakistan’s innings came to a close at 237 all out in 59.4 overs, leaving South Africa with a target of 148 runs to win.
Marco Jansen was the outstanding bowler for South Africa, with impressive figures of 6/42. Rabada grabbed two wickets, while Paterson and debutant Corbin Bosch chipped in with one wicket each.
Earlier, South Africa responded to Pakistan’s 211 in their first innings with a solid performance, posting a commanding 301/7 in 73.4 overs.
