SA vs PAK 2024/25, South Africa vs Pakistan 1st Test, Day 2, Centurion Match Report, December 26-30, 2024

Bosch remained unbeaten on 81 and South Africa bowled for 301 in an extended second session. Perhaps they still look back with some anger at the way some middle-order players were dismissed on either side of the lunch break, sparked by a marathon 10-over ceremony from Naseem Shah. During that time he scored 3 for 49 and challenged South Africa’s defense with good pace and clever lengths. After bowling too much earlier in the day, Naseem pulled back his lengths and the reward came.

Kyle Verreynne was out on the 14th ball of the second session and played a loose drive to a ball on the fifth stump that he could have left lying. Two overs later, Naseem tested Marco Jansen with a tighter line, thought he had drawn the edge and then did so, but Saim Ayub put him in the gully. In the end it wouldn’t have mattered as Naseem had gone too far. He didn’t have to wait long to correct his mistake. His next ball was a length back and angled away, Jansen turned and was caught behind.

South Africa were only just ahead at this point, leading by two players and Pakistan had the opportunity to ensure a reasonably even game. But they were taken apart by Bosch for the second time in a row. He was aggressive front and back and had a disciplined partner in Rabada, who made one of the game’s most eye-catching marking attacks.

When Aamer Jamal was reinstated half an hour before tea, Rabada’s patience was at an end. He swiped over the line and sent the ball out of the air towards the non-striker. Babar Azam took a good catch at short midwicket and stared into the sun to end a frustrating partnership for Pakistan.

Bosch reached his milestone, reaching fifty with a stunning cover drive. It is the second fastest fifty by a South African on his debut. Then Paterson struck, scoring four goals against Jamal and six when he hit Abbas with a long-range shot. Desperate to end the lower-order resistance, Naseem was brought back after a short break and bowled four more overs but was unable to make the breakthrough. Instead, it was the part-time spin of Ayub, the only spinner used in the match so far, that proved decisive. Paterson tried to knock it out of the ground but made it to the middle where Shahzad ran circles before grabbing the ball.

Earlier, Pakistan had started the day slowly and there was a lack of inspiration in the morning session where they opened with Naseem and Mohammad Abbas. Apart from Naseem’s early movement, the bowlers didn’t challenge the batters enough and delivered just enough loose deliveries for the run-scoring to progress.

Continuing with 47, Markram quickly reached his half-century and surpassed Abbas with two boundaries. Bavuma was stable against Naseem, apart from a thick outside edge that found a gap in the slips. With Shahzad unused for the first 90 minutes, Aamer Jamal finally provided the breakthrough by landing the ball on a long length, pushing Bavuma outside and getting a lead to the wicketkeeper.

Bedingham initially appeared extremely confident and ensured that the momentum in South Africa was maintained. The strike rate chosen as a result of an LBW review seemed to highlight his flamboyance against Naseem. This also led to his downfall. Naseem withdrew his length and probed outside, and Bedingham couldn’t resist a reverse. He was given an outside advantage to slip an over first before lunch, triggering the collapse.