South Africa secured their place in the ICC World Test Championship (WTC) final for the 2023-25 cycle after a dramatic two-wicket victory against Pakistan in the Boxing Day Test at Centurion on Sunday.
Chasing a modest target of 148, South Africa’s batting lineup faltered, collapsing to 99 for eight. However, a determined ninth-wicket partnership between Marco Jansen and Kagiso Rabada guided the hosts to victory, with both batters remaining unbeaten.
The win elevated South Africa to 88 points from 11 matches, with a points percentage (PCT) of 66.67, placing them ahead of Australia (58.89) and India (55.89), who are tied in their ongoing Border-Gavaskar Trophy series.
Pakistan’s Mohammad Abbas made a memorable return to international cricket with an exceptional spell on the fourth day. South Africa, resuming on 27/3, saw Aiden Markram and captain Temba Bavuma extend their overnight stand to 43 before Abbas dismantled their efforts.
Markram scored 37 off 63 balls before Abbas uprooted his stumps, while Bavuma contributed 40 off 78 deliveries, including four boundaries and a six, before falling to Abbas.
Pakistan’s Naseem Shah then struck to dismiss Kyle Verreynne for just two runs, leaving South Africa struggling at 90/6. Abbas claimed two more wickets in quick succession, sending David Bedingham (14) and debutant Corbin Bosch (0) back to the pavilion.
By the lunch interval, South Africa was tottering at 116/8, needing 32 more runs. Despite the dire situation, Jansen and Rabada held their ground, steering South Africa to a nail-biting victory.
Abbas finished with six wickets, while Naseem Shah and Khurram Shahzad chipped in with a wicket each, putting Pakistan on the brink of a remarkable comeback that ultimately fell short.
