Tags: Pakistan tour of South Africa, 2024-25,
South Africa vs Pakistan, 1st Test at Centurion, December 26-30, 2024,
South Africa,
Pakistan
Published on: December 27, 2024
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The first day of the opening Test between Pakistan and South Africa at SuperSport Park delivered gripping cricket as both teams exchanged fierce blows. After Pakistan’s batting line-up fell to 211, their bowlers fought back strongly to leave the hosts at 82 for three by stumping on Thursday.
Pakistan’s Khurram Shahzad and Mohammad Abbas spearheaded the fightback, disrupting South Africa’s top spot. Shahzad’s two strikes, coupled with Abbas’ late breakthrough, kept Pakistan firmly in contention despite a difficult day with the bat.
South Africa Dane Paterson and newbie Corbin Bosch played with the ball earlier today. Paterson, on the rise at the age of 35, took his second consecutive five-wicket haul, finishing with figures of five for 61. Bosch, making an impactful Test debut, complemented Paterson brilliantly by picking up four wickets for 63 races.
Pakistan’s innings found brief resistance from Kamran Ghulam, whose counter-attacking 54 off 71 balls breathed some life into their batting efforts. Ghulam played with intent, pushing the boundaries to regain momentum in a testing phase against the South African bowlers. However, his dismissal marked the start of a rapid collapse, with Pakistan losing their last five wickets in just 29 runs.
When South Africa came up to bat, the Pakistani bowlers struck early. Shahzad quickly dismissed Dean Elgar and Temba Bavuma, while Abbas fired Aiden Markram late in the day. Proteas captain Heinrich Klaasen remained unbeaten on 27, accompanied by Rassie van der Dussen, who is on 19.
With a well-grassed pitch providing assistance to the bowlers, day two promises more action as Pakistan look to capitalize on early advances and South Africa aim to take a commanding lead.
