JOHANNESBURG – On the first day of the Boxing Day Test, Pakistan’s first innings ended at 211 runs, while South Africa responded with 82 runs for the loss of three wickets.
By stumps, South Africa trailed by 129 runs with Aiden Markram unbeaten on 47 and captain Temba Bavuma on 4. Pakistan’s Khurram Shahzad claimed two wickets, and Mohammad Abbas took one.
Pakistan’s First Innings
Opting to bat first, Pakistan started cautiously but faltered after captain Shan Masood’s dismissal at 36 runs. The batting line collapsed as Saim Ayub (14), Babar Azam (4), and Saud Shakeel (14) departed quickly, leaving the team reeling at 56 runs.
Kamran Ghulam provided some resistance with a composed 54-run knock, while Mohammad Rizwan scored 27, Agha Salman 18, Aamir Jamal 28, Khurram Shahzad 11, and Naseem Shah went out without scoring.
South Africa’s Bowling
Dean Paterson shone with a five-wicket haul, Corbin Bosch picked up four, and Marco Jansen claimed one wicket.
In reply, South Africa lost Tristan Stubbs (9), Ryan Rickelton (8), and Tony de Zorzi (2) but stabilized with Markram and Bavuma at the crease.
South Africa won the toss and opted to field first against Pakistan as much-anticipated Test is set to kick off today, with both teams eager to lead the red ball game.
Bavuma led Proteas are facing pressure after having whitewashed in the ODI series. Shan Masood’s Pakistan side promises to be thrilling red-ball contest after making in history in ODI.
Test match is particularly significant as both teams are coming off impressive performances in their respective previous series. Green Shirts recently defeated England in Test series, while Proteas triumphed over Sri Lanka in their last red-ball outing.
The hosts currently holds top spot in the WTC 2023-24 standings, while Pakistan squata at 7th rank. A victory for the Proteas will help them maintain their lead, while a win for Pakistan will improve their position on the points table and add momentum to their red-ball campaign.
Pakistan vs S0uth Africa Squads
Pakistan: Shan Masood (c), Abdullah Shafique, Babar Azam, Saim Ayub, Saud Shakeel, Aamir Jamal, Kamran Ghulam, Salman Ali Agha, Haseebullah Khan (wk), Mohammad Rizwan (wk), Mir Hamza, Mohammad Abbas, Naseem Shah, Noman Ali, Khurram Shahzad.
South Africa: Temba Bavuma (c), Matthew Breetzke, Tony de Zorzi, Tristan Stubbs, Aiden Markram, Corbin Bosch, Keshav Maharaj, Marco Jansen, Senuran Muthusamy, Wiaan Mulder, David Bedingham (wk), Kyle Verreynne (wk), Ryan Rickelton (wk), Dane Paterson, Kagiso Rabada, Kwena Maphaka.
Pakistan complete 3-0 clean sweep against South Africa in ODI series
