Can Pakistan save the series?
South Africa orchestrated one of the biggest heists of the 2024 as they stole the first Test from under Pakistan’s nose in Centurion and the series now moves to the second and final Test in Centurion where its the visitors, Pakistan, having their task cut out.
South Africa’s win also confirmed their spot in the World Test Championship Final and ahead of the second Test between South Africa and Pakistan, here’s our match preview and predictions.
South Africa vs Pakistan 2nd Test | Pakistan tour of South Africa 2024/25 | 14:00 IST,January 03–07
After being put into bat first, the visitors struggled with the bat in the first innings as it was Kamran Ghulam’s fighting 54 that got them to 211. The batting woes continued as there was another collapse in the second innings as well with only Babar Azam and Saud Shakeel getting runs. The likes of Saim Ayub, Shan Masood and Mohammad Rizwan all got starts in the opening Test and while some of them got jaffers, the senior Pakistani batters need to step up in Cape Town. With the ball, Khurram Shahzad and Naseem Shah impressed but it was Mohammad Abbas’ six-wicket haul which had all-but locked in the game for them.
The hosts on the other hand, also had a rough outing with the bat. It was Aiden Markram and Corbin Bosch’s 80s which helped them take a first-innings lead but their batters disappointed once again it was Kagiso Rabada and Marcos Jansen’s heroics with the bat which saw them steal an unlikely win. The Proteas batters, especially their captain Temba Bavuma, who recently found form, needs to step up and lead from the front. It was Corbin Bosch and Dane Paterson as the chief-wreckers in the first innings with the ball for the hosts with nine-wickets between them before Marco Jansen’s 6/52 set up a 148 run target for the Proteas, which their batters almost fumbled.
Newlands is known for their spin-friendly track and it should be another strong game for the bowlers from both teams and count on the visitors, Pakistan to tie up the series on a strip which should suit their bowlers.
Fantasy XI: Mohammad Rizwan, Aiden Markram, Saim Ayub, Babar Azam, David Bedingham, Kyle Verreynne, Salman Agha, Kagiso Rabada, Haris Rauf, Mohammad Abbas, Marco Jansen
Venue: Cape Town
Winners Prediction: Pakistan
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