South Africa clinch two-wicket thriller to seal WTC final spot
Abbas' sensational six-wicket haul was not enough to deny the hosts, with Rabada and Jansen sealing the victory
26/12Result
1st Test, Pakistan tour of South Africa at Centurion, Dec 26-29 2024
-
![Pakistan]( "Pakistan")
211 & 237 -
![South Africa]( "South Africa")
301 & 150/8 (39.3 ov)
Player of the Match
26/12Result
1st Test, Pakistan tour of South Africa at Centurion, Dec 26-29 2024
-
![Pakistan]( "Pakistan")
211 & 237 -
![South Africa]( "South Africa")
301 & 150/8 (39.3 ov)
Player of the Match
Day 4
Day 3
Abbas, Shahzad give Pakistan hope of defending 147
Earlier, Jansen picked up 6 for 52 to restrict Pakistan but a late burst has ensured South Africa do not rest easy overnight
Day 2
Pakistan lose their way after Bosch bash hands South Africa advantage
South Africa added 88 for the last two wickets after Markram made 89
Others
The tale of a Babar fifty that could have been so much more
Pakistan had plenty of chances to record a much higher second-innings score than they did, but "same mistakes" let them down
'We had the game in our hand' - Masood calls for more ruthlessness from Pakistan to kill off Tests
"We must make sure we win the game rather than [allowing] the other team back into it"
WTC final scenarios: South Africa through, but what about India, Australia and Sri Lanka?
If not the remaining two Border-Gavaskar Trophy Tests, then Australia's visit to Sri Lanka will decide who meets South Africa at Lord's in June 2025
Injured Maharaj and Mulder included in South Africa squad for Tests against Pakistan
South Africa have called up two uncapped players for the two-Test series, seam bowlers Corbin Bosch and Kwena Maphaka
Make plan, find a way and believe - South Africa's not-quite-perfect WTC campaign
Their qualification to the final is a testament to the resourcefulness of South Africa's system that has consistently found the Mr Right Nows
'You just can't script that' - SA breathe easy after a 'Camel classic' in Centurion
Eight wickets down, 32 runs still to get, and a WTC final spot at stake; there were more than a few jangling nerves at SuperSport Park
Jansen urges SA to be 'disciplined' as WTC final beckons
South Africa will want to finish the job here, with only win one out of this and the next Test needed
'Frustrated' but not 'out of touch' - Markram keen to contribute more
"It would be a completely different conversation if I was feeling quite scratchy and feeling out of touch. I'm very fortunate that that's not the case"
Naseem Shah smiles at Test cricket on a rollercoaster day
He delivered more overs than any other bowler, was faster and better than any other, but was the most expensive of the three specialist quicks
Stats - Jansen, Rabada and SA's ninth-wicket partnership for the ages
All the statistical highlights from the thrilling Centurion Test
Pakistan keep their appointment in Samarra after yet another South African heartbreak
They came close - very close - but Pakistan's destiny in South Africa has not changed just yet
'Someone needs to pinch me' - Bosch and Paterson script their own fairy-tales
A 35-year-old who bowls in the mid 120s, and a 19-year-old hometown hero tipped for greatness. Together, they bundled out Pakistan in a day
Pakistan waste opportunity to score with so much more available
Under overcast skies in Centurion, being bowled out for 211 may not be all that bad, but it is a missed chance
KG vs KG showdown grips SuperSport Park
Early in the day, Kamran Ghulam pulled out of his batting stance as Kagiso Rabada was about to enter his delivery stride, and that set the stage for a memorable duel between the two
South Africa bowl in Centurion, both teams go with all-pace attacks
Corbin Bosch debuts for hosts, visitors Pakistan don't play Abdullah Shafique
'Second to none' Mohammad Abbas ready for his redemption arc
No one fully knows why he's not played Tests since 2021, but he has kept taking the wickets, be it in Southampton, Gujranwala or Swabi
Pakistan bring back Babar and go with four pacers for Centurion Test
Kamran Ghulam keeps his place at No. 4 with Babar set to bat at No. 3 and Masood to open
Keshav Maharaj ruled out of Pakistan ODIs due to adductor strain
Bjorn Fortuin named as replacement, with Maharaj to be assessed ahead of first Test starting December 26
All pace and no spin? Selection dilemma follows Pakistan to Centurion
If South Africa had been playing a spinner, the decision may have been a lot simpler for Pakistan, who were stung going in all pace at home against Bangladesh
What can Pakistan learn from their history of trauma in South Africa?
Fifteen Tests, two wins, 12 defeats, and no joy since 2007. Mickey Arthur and Mushtaq Ahmed ponder the whys and what nexts
The Bosch family live their dream as Corbin's big day arrives
It's been a long time coming, but it's all been worth it for a household that has been through everything
Stats - Corbin Bosch's boss-mode outing in the Boxing Day Test
The South Africa speedster put in an all-round show on Test debut
Intriguing Boxing Day beckons with SA in sight of WTC final
Corbin Bosch is set to make his Test debut on what promises to be a seamer-friendly Centurion pitch