The Proteas are ready for a thrilling Boxing Day Test against Pakistan at SuperSport Park in Centurion, with South African captain Temba Bavuma winning the toss and opting to bowl first.
This marks the beginning of a crucial two-Test series for both teams.
A major highlight of the day is the debut of Corbin Bosch, who is set to play his first Test match at his home ground.
Play is scheduled to kick off at 10:00 AM local time, and fans are in for an exciting contest.
Teams for the Test
South Africa
- Aiden Markram
- Tony de Zorzi
- Ryan Rickelton
- Tristan Stubbs
- Temba Bavuma (captain)
- David Bedingham
- Kyle Verreynne (wicketkeeper)
- Corbin Bosch
- Marco Jansen
- Kagiso Rabada
- Dane Paterson
Pakistan
- Shan Masood (captain)
- Saim Ayub
- Babar Azam
- Kamran Glulam
- Mohammad Rizwan (wicketkeeper)
- Saud Shakeel
- Salman Agha
- Aamer Jamal
- Naseem Shah
- Khurram Shahzad
- Mohammad Abbas
The Stakes: South Africa’s Push for the WTC Final
For South Africa, this series holds major significance.
With the World Test Championship (WTC) final within reach, they need to secure a win in at least one of these two Tests to guarantee a spot. South Africa has been in excellent form recently, winning five of their last six Test matches, with one ending in a draw.
They also held India to a 1-1 draw at home, which has kept their WTC hopes alive.
Interestingly, South Africa’s success in this WTC cycle has been achieved despite sending a second-string side to New Zealand for the SA20, where they lost 2-0.
But now, with their core team back, they look set to challenge for a place in the final.
Pakistan’s Slim Hopes for Qualification
On the other hand, Pakistan’s hopes of making the WTC final are slim, but not entirely out of reach.
They need to win both Tests here in South Africa and also secure victories in their two upcoming matches against the West Indies.
For their hopes to be realized, South Africa would also need to face penalties for a slow over-rate, and the series between Australia and India would need to go in their favour.
It’s been a rough cycle for Pakistan, with a series of tough losses to Australia and Bangladesh, but their recent turnaround against England shows that they still have the potential to surprise.
A win in this series would be a significant step toward salvaging their campaign.
Changes to the Pakistan Squad
Pakistan has made a few adjustments to their squad for this series.
Babar Azam and Naseem Shah return to the lineup after being dropped for the second and third Tests against Australia.
However, Shaheen Shah Afridi has not been included, signaling a potential shift in focus for the left-arm pacer.
With only one spinner selected, Noman Ali gets the nod over Sajid Khan, who had taken 19 wickets in just two Tests against England.
The inclusion of Khurram Shahzad, who returns from a rib injury, and the return of Mohammad Abbas after a three-year absence, are key changes.
Abbas, the most experienced fast bowler in the squad, was part of the last Pakistan team to tour South Africa in 2018-19.
Key Players to Watch
Temba Bavuma: In Top Form
South African captain Temba Bavuma is one of the players to watch.
Bavuma has been in great form this year, with consistent scores of 70, 113, 78, and 66 in recent series.
His solid performances have silenced many of his critics.
He made his Test debut exactly ten years ago on Boxing Day against the West Indies and has been a key contributor to South Africa’s success this year.
In fact, Bavuma has been South Africa’s best batter in 2024, with seven other Proteas players also scoring centuries this year.
Naseem Shah: The Rising Star
For Pakistan, Naseem Shah is a bowler to watch.
Despite struggling with injuries and a recent dip in form, Naseem has the potential to make an impact in South African conditions, where pace and bounce are critical.
He has never played in Centurion before, so this is a great opportunity for him to prove himself.
After being dropped from the side following a poor performance in Multan, Naseem will be eager to showcase his abilities and make a comeback.
Stat Attack: Key Numbers
- South Africa’s Record: South Africa has a dominant 12-2 (one draw) record in home Tests against Pakistan.
- Centurion Dominance: South Africa has won nine of the last ten Tests at Centurion, with only India defeating them in 2021.
- Centuries Galore: The Proteas have scored ten Test centuries in 2024, the most since 2017.
- Opening Woes for Pakistan: The opening partnership of Saim Ayub and Abdullah Shafique has struggled, averaging just 8 runs per innings in their last 12 Test outings, with four innings ending on zero.
- Mohammad Abbas’ Experience: Mohammad Abbas, with 90 Test wickets, is now the most experienced bowler in the Pakistan squad, ahead of the exclusion of Shaheen Afridi.
- Rabada’s Milestone: Kagiso Rabada, with 57 Test wickets at Centurion, is just three wickets shy of overtaking Dale Steyn’s record of 59 wickets at this ground.
What’s Next for the Series?
This two-Test series is shaping up to be a fascinating contest between two teams with a lot to prove.
South Africa is aiming for a spot in the WTC final, while Pakistan is trying to salvage their campaign and keep their slim hopes alive.
As the series progresses, the focus will be on key players like Bavuma and Naseem Shah, who could play pivotal roles in the outcome.
How do you think the series will unfold? Let us know your predictions in the comments or reach out via email at info@thesouthafrican.com or WhatsApp at 060 011 0211.
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This article was published on TDPel Media. Thanks for reading!
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