Courtesy: Google
On Sunday, December 29, South Africa reached the World Test Championship (WTC) final for the first time in their history after defeating Pakistan by two wickets in the Centurion Test. After being reduced to 99/8 in pursuit of the 148-run target, South Africa’s No. 9 pairing of Marco Jansen and Kagiso Rabada shared an unbeaten stand of 51 runs, to take their team over the finishing line, and secure a 1-0 lead in the two-match Test series.
Notably, at the start of day four of the Centurion Test match, South Africa were 27/3, still needing a further 121 runs to win the game, and secure their spot in the WTC final. After a decent partnership of 43 runs with captain Temba Bavuma, Aiden Markram was the first wicket to fall in the morning session as Mohammed Abbas castled him for 37 off 63, an innings which included six fours, which kept Pakistan more than interested in the contest.
Mohammad Abbas' six-wicket haul didn't prove to be enough for Pakistan in Centurion
The 34-runs stand for the fifth wicket between Temba Bavuma (40 off 78) and David Bedingham (14 off 14) took South Africa to a position of relative comfort before lightning struck. Mohammad Abbas was the chief destroyer, picking up three out of four quick wickets to fall for South Africa within a span of 12 balls, to complete a five-wicket haul on his return to Test cricket, and gave Pakistan a massive upper hand in the contest.
But then, Marco Jansen (16* off 24), and more specifically Kagiso Rabada (31 off 26), batted with aggressive intent, finding a way to take South Africa across the finishing line. With this vital win, South Africa qualified through to the WTC final with seven wins, three losses, and one draw in 11 Test matches, accumulating 66.67% PCT on the points table, ensuring that they will be finishing in the top two.
South Africa are expected to play either Australia or India in the WTC final at Lord’s in London next June after both these teams play out their remaining matches in the ongoing 2023-25 cycle.
