- By Himanshu Badola
- Sun, 29 Dec 2024 05:13 PM (IST)
- Source:JND
South Africa vs Pakistan 1st Test: South Africa defeated Pakistan by two wickets in the first Test at the SuperSport Park in Centurion on Sunday, December 29.
With a thrilling victory on the fourth day of the Boxing Day Test, South Africa became the first team to qualify for the World Test Championship final.
South Africa have taken a 1-0 lead in the two-match Test series as they chased down the 148-run target in an emphatic fashion. Kagiso Rabada and Marco Jansen won it for the hosts as they stitched a commendable partnership of 51 runs for the ninth wicket.
Jansen smashed the winning boundary as South Africa wrapped things up in 39.3 overs. He remained unbeaten on 16 runs while Rabada played a sensational knock of 31 runs in just 26 balls on the back of five impressive boundaries
Pakistan staged a magnificent comeback in the contest on the back of a memorable five-wicket haul from Mohammad Abbas. He picked up six wickets for 54 runs in 19.3 overs.
"Quite an emotional moment for me. A lot of joy and happiness on our side. We did it the hard way. But glad we won. I was still sulking. Aiden get them going. Wasn't a lot of conversations. We still had the confidence. I didn't come out to the viewing area and was in the toilet. I came when 15 runs were needed. It is a big win. Not just for myself. But for the coaches," South Africa captain Temba Bavuma said in the post-match presentation.
The hosts headed into the fourth day on 27/3 while chasing 148 runs in their second innings with Aiden Markram and skipper Temba Bavuma at the crease.
The duo did well to stitch a crucial 39-run stand for the fourth wicket before Pakistan found their first breakthrough of the day. Mohammad Abbas removed Markram for 37 runs in the 24th over.
The massive wicket of Bavuma came in the 30th over for the visitors as Abbas removed him for 40 runs, bringing back his side into the game.
South Africa lost a few wickets in quick succession in the middle with Naseem Shah dismissing Kyle Verreynne for 2 runs before Abbas completed his five-fer with the wicket of David Bedingham (14) followed by the dismissal of Corbin Bosch (0) in the very next ball of the 32nd over.
The Proteas were reduced to 104/8 before Rabada was joined by Jansen in the middle. The duo shifted gears after lunch and looked in great touch, smashing boundaries at regular intervals to release the pressure.
A bit of indisciplined bowling from Pakistan allowed Rabada and Jansen to script a famous win for South Africa.
