South Africa beat Pakistan by two wickets on day four of this week’s Test series opener at SuperSport Park in Centurion.
Pursuing a fourth-innings target of 148-run, South Africa reached slipped to 99 for eight before moving to 150 for eight. All-rounder Marco Jansen and tail-ender Kagiso Rabada shared an unbeaten 51-run partnership for the ninth wicket.
Earlier in the match, Jansen and fellow seamer Dane Paterson took a six- and five-wicket haul, respectively – and batsman Aiden Markram and Test debutant Corbin Bosch hit 80-plus scores. Markram was named Player of the Match after scoring 89 and 37.
Pakistan have not won a Test in South Africa since 2007. The second and final Test of this series will start at Newlands in Cape Town on 3 January 2025.
Sunday’s result gave the Proteas a berth in the final of the International Cricket Council’s 2023-25 World Test Championship.
The 2023-25 WTC final will be played at Lord’s in London, England, from 11 June. Australia, India and Sri Lanka are in contention for a berth in the final. England, Pakistan, Bangladesh and West Indies are not in contention.
New Zealand won the 2019-21 WTC title. India ended in second position and Australia third. England were fourth. South Africa were fifth.
Australia won the 2021-23 WTC title. India ended in second position and South Africa third. England were fourth. Sri Lanka were fifth.
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