Bowlers bring Pakistan back into first Test in South Africa

Published December 26, 2024
South Africa’s Tristan Stubbs (R) walks back to the pavilion after his dismissal by Pakistan’s Mohammad Abbas during the first day of the first cricket Test match between South Africa and Pakistan at SuperSport Park in Centurion on December 26. — AFP
South Africa’s Tristan Stubbs (R) walks back to the pavilion after his dismissal by Pakistan’s Mohammad Abbas during the first day of the first cricket Test match between South Africa and Pakistan at SuperSport Park in Centurion on December 26. — AFP
South Africa’s Dane Paterson gestures during the first day of the first cricket Test match between South Africa and Pakistan at SuperSport Park in Centurion on December 26. — AFP
South Africa’s Dane Paterson gestures during the first day of the first cricket Test match between South Africa and Pakistan at SuperSport Park in Centurion on December 26. — AFP
Pakistan’s Shan Masood plays a shot during the first day of the first cricket Test match between South Africa and Pakistan at SuperSport Park in Centurion on December 26. — AFP
Pakistan’s Shan Masood plays a shot during the first day of the first cricket Test match between South Africa and Pakistan at SuperSport Park in Centurion on December 26. — AFP

Pakistan’s bowlers hit back after the tourists were bowled out for 211 on the first day of the first Test against South Africa at Centurion’s SuperSport Park on Thursday.

Khurram Shahzad struck twice and Mohammad Abbas claimed a late wicket as South Africa reached 82 for three at the close.

South African fast bowler Corbin Bosch took a wicket with his first ball in Test cricket and together with Dane Paterson had reduced Pakistan to 209 runs for nine at tea.

Paterson took 5-61 in 16 overs and Bosch 4-63 in 15 overs on debut as South Africa held the upper hand after winning the toss and putting the tourists into bat.

The 30-year-old Bosch made a dream start as he claimed the wicket of Pakistan captain Shan Masood as he came on as second change in a fiery four-man bowling line-up that dominated the day’s proceedings Bosch, playing on his home ground, had been drafted into the South Africa side after a raft of injuries to their regular fast bowlers and made good use of the opportunity with two wickets in the opening session and two more after lunch.

He had Masood caught at third slip by Marco Jansen with his opening delivery, becoming the 25th cricketer to take a wicket with his first ball on test debut.

It was the first wicket of the day, followed quickly by two for Paterson, who snagged Ayub for 14 and then removed Babar Azam, back in the side after being dropped during Pakistan’s last test series against England, for only four runs as pushed at a ball outside the off stump.

Bosch claimed a second wicket before lunch as Saud Shakeel gloved a ball behind with the batsman given out for 14, only after South Africa had reviewed the umpires initial not-out decision.

After lunch, Paterson ended a promising fightback as Pakistan put on 81 runs for the fifth wicket, dismissing Kamran Ghulam for 54 off 71 balls. Ghulam came down the wicket to the bowler, was cramped up by a short ball and top edged high into the sky to be caught by Rabada.

Mohammad Rizwan (27) followed soon after as he edged to Aiden Markram at second slip as Paterson snagged a fourth wicket.

Pakistan then lost three wickets without scoring as Aamer Jamal was bowled by Bosch, playing onto a fuller delivery, followed by Salman Agha, caught off Paterson’s short delivery, and Bosch then removing Naseem Shah without scoring.

With nine wickets down, the second session was extended by 30 minutes but South Africa failed to claim the last wicket with Khurram Shahzad (9) and Mohammad Abbas (10) defying the bowlers with an unbeaten 20-run stand for the 10th wicket.

Opinion

Editorial

Afghan hostilities
Updated 28 Feb, 2026

Afghan hostilities

The need is for an immediate ceasefire and substantive negotiations, with the onus on the Taliban to rein in cross-border attacks.
Cutting taxes
28 Feb, 2026

Cutting taxes

PRIME Minister Shehbaz Sharif’s plan to cut direct taxes for businesses in the next budget acknowledges the strain...
KCR challenge
28 Feb, 2026

KCR challenge

THE Karachi Circular Railway is being discussed again. It seems that the project, or, rather, the hopes of it, are...
A collective effort
Updated 27 Feb, 2026

A collective effort

CONSIDERING the relentless wave of terrorist attacks Pakistan has been facing over the past few weeks, the...
Criminalising criticism
27 Feb, 2026

Criminalising criticism

ISLAMABAD seems to have developed quite a thin skin. A letter sent to the prime minister on Wednesday by leading...
Utter chaos
27 Feb, 2026

Utter chaos

THE PTI is in disarray. The lack of discipline within its ranks, which it has long refused to address, is finally...