South Africa have assured their place in subsequent 12 months’s World Take a look at Championship closing at Lord’s after a nerve-shredding two-wicket victory over Pakistan in Centurion.
Chasing 148 within the collection opener, the Proteas stumbled from the relative calm of 96-4 to a dangerous 99-8 in 12 balls, with Mohammad Abbas operating riot on his Take a look at return.
However Marco Jansen (16 not out) and Kagiso Rabada (31no) defied just a few tense moments to sew collectively an unbroken 51-run stand both facet of lunch on day 4 that bought South Africa over the road.
The Take a look at had a end extra like that of a Twenty20 match because the tail-enders delivered success after the hosts had slumped dramatically earlier than lunch and provided Pakistan the prospect to win a Take a look at in South Africa for the primary time in 18 years.
Rabada, who’s ranked because the second-best Take a look at bowler, emerged, nevertheless, as an unlikely batting hero, whereas Jansen delivered the successful runs with a cultured drive to the boundary, amid scenes of delirious celebration.
“Quite an emotional one and a good advert for Test cricket. A lot of joy and happiness for us but a bit of a rollercoaster. We did it the hard way but we’re glad to be able to get the result,” mentioned South Africa captain Temba Bavuma.
The house facet’s triumph earns them a maiden look within the World Take a look at Championship showpiece in June, with Australia, India and Sri Lanka all vying to affix them on the ‘House of Cricket’.
Defeat for Pakistan was particularly powerful on Abbas, who claimed international-best figures of 6-54 on his first Take a look at look since August 2021.
“I’m extremely proud of our efforts but going forward as a team, we need to be more ruthless. We have to seize the moments that Test cricket provides,” mentioned Pakistan captain Shan Masood.
South Africa have now received six successive Checks, beginning with success within the West Indies in August and following it with two Take a look at collection wins, in Bangladesh after which at dwelling to Sri Lanka final month.
The second and closing Take a look at of the collection will get below manner on January 3 at Newlands in Cape City.
