Pakistan and South Africa faced off in the first test in over 14 years in Pakistan when Proteas’ captain Quinton de Kock won the toss and elected to bat first.
South Africa’s first innings (batting)
The South African batters were unable to make a formidable partnership as they constantly lost wickets. South African batsmen were irresponsible in the runs they were making which resulted in them getting run out on 2 different occasions. As much as the pitch looked a paradise for batsmen, in the game pitch reports, all looked foolish as debutant Nauman Ali and veteran Yasir Shah took 2 and 3 wickets respectively. Fast Bowler Hasan Ali took a decisive wicket to mark his comeback, meanwhile Pakistan’s most valuable bowling prodigy Shaheen Afridi got 2 wickets of his own and ended South Africa’s innings on a total of 220 runs which looked like a low total on paper UNTIL…
ALSO READ: EARLY PREDICTIONS FOR PAKISTAN VS SOUTH AFRICA
Pakistan’s first innings (batting)
Pakistan opened the innings with debutant Imran Butt and experienced Abid Ali but their show didn’t last long as Kagiso Rabada on his comeback dismissed both of them with sheer skill. Then came the big man, Babar Azam with huge responsibility and pressure on his shoulders but even he didn’t last long on the pitch as he was LBW’d by spinner Keshav Maharaj. Pakistan didn’t have much choice but to send a night watchman to survive the last 20 minutes but as it looked like, their choice of sending Shaheen Afridi was a rather nonsensical decision as Afridi doesn’t quiet particularly have any potential to bat and this resulted in him getting out on just 4 runs. The day ended with Fawad Alam and Azhar Ali on the crease with Pakistan struggling to hold on with the score of 33 for the loss of 4 wickets.
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