Pakistan and South Africa will face each other in a two-match Test series following the conclusion of the ODI series.
The first Test will begin on 26th December at Centurion.
Match Preview:
For South Africa, the forthcoming Boxing Day Test match is going to be extremely important, to say the least. If they secure a win, they will cement their place in the final of the World Test Championship for the very first time.
They only need to win one of their next two Test matches to confirm their final spot. While this may seem straightforward, one can never be sure given South Africa’s history of inconsistency.
The team is coming off a Test series win over Sri Lanka in the Test format, but their performance in the recent ODI series was below par.
None of their top batters could perform effectively, as Tony de Zorzi, Ryan Rickelton, and Tristan Stubbs lost their wickets to Agha Salman in the first ODI. Salman is also part of the Test squad.
Although his spin may not pose a significant threat on a pitch like Centurion, the South African players could carry some psychological scars heading into the Test series.
“Whether it’s easy, whether it’s hard, we’ve got to find a way to do it,” Bavuma said. “Whatever trauma that was there, guys will have to deal with it.”
For South Africa, the form of Aiden Markram is concerning. It has been an average year for the player across all formats. Nevertheless, he will hope to end the year on a high note.
When it comes to Pakistan cricket, chaos is a recurring theme. For instance, Pakistan’s head coach Jason Gillespie has resigned, Shaheen Shah Afridi is unavailable, the team did not opt for Mir Hamza as a left-arm pacer, and Babar Azam and Mohammad Abbas are making their comebacks.
For Pakistan, reaching the final of the WTC would be a miracle, as they are essentially out of contention.
Nevertheless, the team can still pose a challenge to South Africa, and given their recent performances, they carry some momentum into the series.
Playing XI:
South Africa: Tony de Zorzi, Aiden Markram, Ryan Rickelton, Tristan Stubbs, Temba Bavuma (C), David Bedingham, Kyle Verreynne, Marco Jansen, Kagiso Rabada, Dane Paterson, Corbin Bosch.
Pakistan: Shan Masood (C), Saim Ayub, Babar Azam, Kamran Ghulam, Mohammad Rizwan, Saud Shakeel, Salman Ali Agha, Aamir Jamal, Naseem Shah, Khurram Shahzad, Mohammad Abbas.
Pitch and Weather Report:
The pitch at SuperSport Park appears tricky for batsmen due to recent heavy rains. It is typically a tough place to bat, with the ball often swinging and seaming.
The good news is that days 2 and 3 are usually better for scoring runs, but with cloudy skies expected, batsmen will need to work hard for their runs. To add to the challenge, there is a chance of thunderstorms on the first three days, which could interrupt the game.
Head-to-Head Record:
South Africa and Pakistan have faced each other 28 times in Test matches, with South Africa winning 15 games, Pakistan securing six victories, and seven matches ending in a draw.
Prediction:
Given that Pakistan has not won a Test match in South Africa in nearly 18 years and has yet to record a Test victory outside Asia since 2021, South Africa is the favorite to win the Boxing Day Test of the series.
Where to Watch:
Pakistan: Tapmad, Tamasha, Geo Super, PTV Sports
South Africa: SuperSport
UK: SkySports, SkyGo App
India: Sports18, JioCinema App
USA: Willow TV
