1st Test, Centurion, December 26, 2024, 01:30 PM
Pakistan
211/10(57.3ov) & 9/0(0.4ov)
South Africa
301/10(73.4ov)
Day 2: Session 2 - PAK trail by 81 runs
SA 68%
Tie 0%
PAK 32%
0.4
.
No run.
0.3
4
Four!
0.2
.
Wayward again! Good length and around off, angling away with extra bounce, Saim Ayub leaves it alone.
0.1
.
On a length and on middle, Saim Ayub nudges it towards mid-wicket.
0.1
5nb
NO BALL AND FOUR! Pakistan get underway with extras! Kagiso Rabada starts with a good-length delivery, but shapes into the leg side. Saim Ayub looks to flick it away but misses as the ball goes off his pads to the fine leg fence for a boundary.
We are back for the last session! The players are already out in the middle now. Saim Ayub and Shan Masood are the two openers for Pakistan. Kagiso Rabada has the new red cherry in his hand and is raring to go. Let's go...
... THIRD INNINGS ...
We have seen some uneven bounce on this pitch already and some turn as well which is encouraging signs for South Africa as they have the upper hand here. Their fast bowlers will look to exploit the overcast conditions and make early inroads. Pakistan, after some sloppy fielding and inconsistent bowling, only have themselves to blame for conceding this big lead. Now, their batters need to come out in these testing conditions and bat their skins out to set up a good target for the hosts. Join us around 1.20 pm GMT to catch all the exciting action in the final session.
Pakistan started the session well with Naseem Shah getting rid of Kyle Verreynne and Marco Jansen quite early. However, they couldn't really build on that and allowed the hosts to put the pressure back on them. With the lead quickly evaporating, Khurram Shahzad struck at a crucial time removing the set Aiden Markram on 89. One would have thought that it was just a matter of time before they wrapped things up and kept the host's lead to a minimum. But that was not the case, as they not only failed to do that but also conceded a huge lead before Saim Ayub got the last wicket.
With that, TEA ON DAY 2 HAS BEEN CALLED! South Africa have batted brilliantly here and ended up taking a lead of 90 runs which could be significant on this wicket. First, it was the stylish knock of Aiden Markram filled with fluent strokes that got them into a solid position but unfortunately missed out on a ton. Then, the debutant, Corbin Bosch stole the show with a magnificent unbeaten 81 off 93 that has put the hosts in the driver's seat here.
In over# 74
0W
0
1
0
Saim Ayub 3/1(2.4)
OUT! CAUGHT! Pakistan finally ends the agony. Corbin Bosch exposes his non-striker for the first time and he falls immediately. Quicker, fuller, looped up, turns away after pitching. Dane Paterson looks to loft it over long off but ends up hitting it straight up in the air. Khurram Shahzad circles underneath it as the ball swerves on its way down. Shahzad somehow manages to grab it in between both his hands over his shoulders. South Africa have been bowled out for 301 with a first-innings lead of 90 runs.
73.4
W
OUT! CAUGHT! Pakistan finally ends the agony. Corbin Bosch exposes his non-striker for the first time and he falls immediately. Quicker, fuller, looped up, turns away after pitching. Dane Paterson looks to loft it over long off but ends up hitting it straight up in the air. Khurram Shahzad circles underneath it as the ball swerves on its way down. Shahzad somehow manages to grab it in between both his hands over his shoulders. South Africa have been bowled out for 301 with a first-innings lead of 90 runs.
73.3
.
Floated up full and outside off, turning away. Dane Paterson drives it down towards long off.
73.2
1
Slightly short, outside off. Corbin Bosch drives it sweeper cover and takes that single finally.
73.1
.
Quicker, flatter, fuller. Corbin Bosch slices it towards sweeper cover. Does not take that single.
In over# 73
0
1
0
4
0
4
Naseem Shah 92/3(22)
72.6
.
On a good length, outside off, seaming away, Dane Paterson looks to defend it but gets beaten on the outside edge.
72.5
1
Hard length, outside off, Corbin Bosch punches it from the back foot wide of cover for a single. 300 comes up for South Africa with this single as their lead has gone to 89 runs now.