Centurion : South Africa defeated Pakistan by 2 wickets in close thriller in 1st Test at SuperSport Park, Centurion and booked their place in final of World Test Championship 2025.
In 1st innings, South Africa bowling first rattled Pakistan to 211, with Protean pacers Dane Paterson (5/61) & Corbin Bosch (4/63) being the architect of it. Pakistan’s Kamran Gulam (54) was lone warrior for them.
Batting in their first innings, Aiden Markram (89) played important knock saving South Africa from collapse, as they lost wickets at regular intervals.
Corbin Bosch (81*) at number 9 built partnerships with the tail and ensured South Africa post 301.
Bowling in Pakistan’s 2nd innings, Marco Jansen (6/52) grabbed 6-fer and bundled Pakistan to 237, despite Saud Shakeel (84) & Babar Azam (50) efforts.
Defending 148 runs, Pakistani pacer Mohammad Abbas (6/54) grabbed 6-fer, wrecking havoc on Protean Batting order.
South Africa were under pressure with 99-8. However, Kagiso Rabada (31*) & Marco Jansen (16*) notched up Match winning 51 runs partnership and guided their team to WTC 2025 qualification berth.
Markram was adjourned man of the match.
Brief Scorecard :
1st Innings :
PAK : 211
Kamran Gulam : 54 (71)
SA :
Dane Paterson : 5/61
Corbin Bosch : 4/63
1st Innings :
SA : 301
Aiden Markram : 89* (144)
Corbin Bosch : 81* (93)
PAK :
Khurram Shehzad : 3/75
Naseem Shah : 3/92
2nd Innings :
PAK : 237
Saud Shakeel : 84 (113)
Babar Azam : 50 (85)
SA :
Marco Jansen : 6/52
2nd Innings :
SA : 150-8
Temba Bavuma : 40 (78)
PAK :
Mohammad Abbas : 6/54
Result : South Africa win by 2 Wickets
