Pakistan’s Mohammad Abbas and Khurram Shahzad turned the first Test against South Africa on its head late on Day 3, reducing the hosts to 27 for three in pursuit of a 148-run target at SuperSport Park. South Africa now need 121 more runs to secure a spot in the World Test Championship final.
Abbas delivered a masterclass in swing bowling, dismissing Tony de Zorzi and Tristan Stubbs, while Shahzad trapped Ryan Rickelton. All three dismissals were lbw, with Pakistan successfully overturning two not-out decisions via reviews. South Africa’s Aiden Markram, unbeaten on 22, holds the key for what promises to be a gripping fourth day.
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Earlier, Marco Jansen’s five-wicket haul helped South Africa limit Pakistan to 212 for eight at tea, with a slender 122-run lead. Despite fifties from Saud Shakeel (66*) and Babar Azam (50), Pakistan lost momentum due to reckless shots, including Babar’s dismissal to Jansen.
With South Africa aiming to seal their spot in the World Test Championship final, the match heads into a nail-biting finish. The second Test starts on January 3 in Cape Town.
