South Africa qualify for WTC final as Pakistan lose Boxing Day Test by 2 wickets

By lunch interval, South Africa were reeling at 116/8, requiring 32 more runs, while Pakistan needed just two wickets.

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South Africa became the first team to secure a spot in the ICC World Test Championship final for the 2023-25 cycle after a thrilling two-wicket victory over Pakistan in the first Test at Centurion on Sunday.

Chasing 148 runs, South Africa found themselves in deep trouble at 99 for eight.

 

 

 

 

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However, a resilient ninth-wicket partnership between Kagiso Rabada and Marco Jansen steered the hosts to victory, with both players remaining unbeaten to guide the team home.

 

 

 

 

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With the win, South Africa moved up to 88 points from 11 matches, raising their points percentage (PCT) to 66.67. They now lead the standings ahead of Australia (58.89) and India (55.89), who are tied 1-1 in their ongoing Border-Gavaskar Trophy series.

Earlier, Mohammad Abbas marked a sensational return to international cricket with a devastating spell on the fourth day of the Boxing Day Test against South Africa.

By the lunch interval on Sunday, South Africa were reeling at 116/8, requiring 32 more runs to avoid defeat and Pakistan needed just two wickets.

South Africa resumed their innings on 27/3, with Aiden Markram and captain Temba Bavuma tasked with leading the chase of a modest target of 148.

The pair extended their overnight partnership to 43 runs before Abbas made the breakthrough, dismissing Markram for 37. The right-hander faced 63 balls, hitting six boundaries before Abbas uprooted his stumps.

 

 

 

 

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Abbas struck again soon after, removing Bavuma for 40, which proved to be the top score for South Africa. Bavuma faced 78 balls, hitting four fours and a six.

In the very next over, Pakistan’s Naseem Shah joined the attack, dismissing wicketkeeper-batter Kyle Verreynne for just two runs. With the score at 90/6, Abbas was in full flow, claiming two more wickets in consecutive balls.

David Bedingham fell for 14, and debutant Corbin Bosch was sent back for a duck, leaving South Africa in a precarious position at 99/8.

 

 

 

 

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Despite the collapse, Marco Jansen and Kagiso Rabada put up a valiant fight, adding 17 runs before the break, leaving South Africa on 116/8. Jansen was on five, and Rabada was unbeaten on 10.

At lunch, Pakistan was in control, with Abbas having taken six wickets so far. Naseem Shah and Khurram Shahzad also claimed a wicket apiece, and the visitors are now just two wickets away from completing a remarkable turnaround.