The Proteas secured a memorable two-wicket victory over Pakistan to seal their spot in the World Test Championship (WTC) final, thanks to their most senior players standing up and being counted when the pressure was highest. Aiden Markram, Temba Bavuma, Marco Jansen and Kagiso Rabada were all able to counter the tension-filled cauldron while the rest of the team mostly fell flat. Bowling spearhead Kagiso Rabada of the Proteas excelled with the bat on day four of the first Test against Pakistan at SuperSport Park in Centurion.
(Photo: Lee Warren/Gallo Images) The nervous energy was palpable from the start of play on day four, among spectators and players at SuperSport Park, with the knowledge of a place at the World Test Championship final at stake. South Africa started the day requiring 121 runs for victory with their two most senior batters at the crease — Aiden Markram and Temba Bavuma. Bavuma was there after Tony de Zorzi (two off 13), Ryan Rickelton (zero off five) and Tristan Stubbs (1 off 10) were dismissed in the evening session on day three after a brilliant late spell of bowling by Mohammad Abbas and Khurram Shahzad, who combined to trap all three LBW.
The aforementioned trio have played fewer than 30 Test matches between them and struggled to handle the first real period of quality bowling in the match. It left the team on 27 for the loss of three wickets overnight. “Pressure does massive things to you and we’re an inexperienced side .
.. and the WTC final weig.
