South Africa ended the first day of the Test match at 82-3 after Pakistan were dismissed for 211 earlier on the opening day of the first test in Centurion on Thursday.
The match remained finely poised with both teams delivering strong performances. Pakistan's bowlers impressed in the evening session, taking three crucial wickets to restrict South Africa’s progress.
Khurram Shahzad provided the perfect start by dismissing Tony de Zorzi for just 2 runs. Shahzad bowled a dream delivery, pitching on off-stump and swinging back to shatter the middle stump.
Shahzad continued to trouble the South African top order, removing Ryan Rickelton shortly after. Rickelton edged one to wicketkeeper Mohammad Rizwan, who took a sharp diving catch. Rickelton scored 8 runs off 10 balls before departing.
Mohammad Abbas then joined the attack and struck in his first spell. He trapped Tristan Stubbs lbw for 9 runs, ending a 28-ball resistance. Abbas’s ability to seam the ball sharply made life difficult for the South African batsmen.
Despite the early setbacks, Aiden Markram provided stability at the crease, scoring freely and holding the innings together. He showed composure under pressure and received brief support from captain Temba Bavuma, who remained solid in defense during his short stay.
Earlier, Pakistan faced a batting collapse, folding for 211 runs. Their innings lacked stability as several players threw away their wickets with erratic shots. However, the bowlers made amends, helping Pakistan claw back into the contest.
South Africa will need Markram and the middle order to step up on the second day to erase the deficit. Pakistan, on the other hand, will look to capitalise on the early breakthroughs and put the visitors under further pressure. The first session of the second day promises to be crucial for both teams as the match remains delicately poised.
South African fast bowler Corbin Bosch made a memorable debut by taking a wicket with his first ball in test cricket, as he and Dane Paterson bundled out Pakistan for 211.
Paterson claimed 5-61 in 16 overs, while Bosch secured 4-63 in 15 overs, helping South Africa maintain control after winning the toss and opting to bowl first.
The 30-year-old Bosch dismissed Pakistan captain Shan Masood with his first delivery, becoming the 25th cricketer to take a wicket with his opening ball in test cricket. Masood edged to Marco Jansen at third slip, giving South Africa an early breakthrough. Bosch continued to impress on his home ground after being included in the team due to injuries among regular bowlers.
Paterson quickly followed up with two wickets, removing Saim Ayub for 14 and Babar Azam for four. Azam, recalled to the team after being dropped during Pakistan’s last test series against England, edged a delivery outside the off stump.
Bosch claimed a second wicket before lunch as Saud Shakeel gloved a ball behind and was given out for 14 following a successful South African review. After lunch, Paterson ended a 81-run fifth-wicket partnership by dismissing Kamran Ghulam for 54 off 71 balls. Ghulam top-edged a short delivery to Kagiso Rabada after stepping down the wicket.
Mohammad Rizwan fell shortly after for 27, edging to Aiden Markram at second slip as Paterson secured his fourth wicket. Pakistan then suffered a collapse, losing three wickets without scoring. Bosch bowled Aamer Jamal, who played onto a fuller delivery, while Salman Agha was caught off Paterson’s short ball, and Naseem Shah fell to Bosch without scoring.
The second session was extended by 30 minutes as Khurram Shahzad (9) and Mohammad Abbas (10) held firm, adding 20 runs for the 10th wicket to frustrate South Africa’s efforts to end Pakistan’s innings before tea.
