tags: Pakistan tour of South Africa, 2024-25,
South Africa v Pakistan, 1st Test at Centurion, 26-30. December 2024,
South Africa,
Pakistan
Published: December 27, 2024
Table of results
| Comment
| Charts
The first day of the opening Test between Pakistan and South Africa at the SuperSport Park provided some enthralling cricket as both teams traded fierce blows. After Pakistan’s batting line-up faltered for 211, their bowlers fought back strongly to leave the hosts at 82 for three at stumps on Thursday.
Pakistan’s Khurram Shahzad and Mohammad Abbas led the charge, upsetting South Africa’s top order. Shahzad’s double strikes, along with Abbas’s late breakthrough, ensured Pakistan stayed firmly in contention despite a challenging day with the bat.
South African Dane Paterson and debutant Corbin Bosch acted with the ball earlier in the day. Paterson, who advanced to the age of 35, took his second consecutive five-wicket haul, finishing with figures of five for 61. Bosch, who made an impressive Test debut, complemented Paterson brilliantly by picking up four wickets for 63 runs.
Pakistan’s innings met brief resistance in Kamran Ghulam, whose counter-attack of 54 off 71 balls injected some life into their batting effort. Ghulam played with intent, hitting boundaries to regain momentum during the Test phase against the South African bowlers. However, his dismissal marked the beginning of a rapid collapse, with Pakistan losing their last five wickets for just 29 runs.
When South Africa swung into action, Pakistan’s bowlers struck early. Shahzad quickly dismissed Dean Elgar and Temba Bavuma, while Abbas dismissed Aiden Markram late in the day. Proteas captain Heinrich Klaasen remains unbeaten on 27, partnered by Rassie van der Dussen, who is on 19.
With a well-grassed pitch offering help to the bowlers, Day 2 promises more action as Pakistan look to capitalize on early breakthroughs and South Africa aim to build a convincing lead.
