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Here’s a look at top performers and record holders in the 28 Test matches played so far between South Africa and Pakistan.
South Africa will face Pakistan in a two-match Test series. (Picture Credit: AP, AFP)
South Africa will face Pakistan in a two-match Test series. The series opener is scheduled to take place at SuperSport Park in Centurion from December 26 to 30, and Newlands in Cape Town will host the New Year Test from January 3 to 7. The Proteas sit at the No. 1 position in the ICC World Test Championship (WTC) 2023-25 points table, and if they manage to win the series with a scoreline of 2-0, then they are guaranteed to finish at the top and book a place in the WTC 2025 final, which is set to be played from June 11-15 at Lord’s.
Pakistan is coming into the Test series against South Africa after winning two matches in a row at home against England in October, whereas the Proteas whitewashed Sri Lanka in the two-match series played earlier this month.
Here’s a look at top performers and record holders in 28 red-ball matches played so far between Pakistan and South Africa:
- Most wins: 15 wins in 28 Tests for South Africa.
- Highest total: 620 for 7 (declare) in 135 overs by South Africa in Cape Town, January 2003.
- Lowest total: 49 all out in 29.1 overs by Pakistan in Johannesburg, February 2013.
- Biggest win (by innings): South Africa beat Pakistan by an innings and 142 runs in Cape Town, January 2003.
- Biggest win (by runs): South Africa beat Pakistan by 324 runs in Johannesburg, February 1995.
- Biggest win (by wickets): South Africa beat Pakistan by 10 wickets in Durban, December 2002.
- Most runs: 1564 runs in 19 Tests by Jacques Kallis of South Africa.
- Highest score: 278 runs (unbeaten) from 418 balls by Ab de Villiers of South Africa in Abu Dhabi, November 2010.
- Highest average (min 10 innings): 65.41 by Ab de Villiers of South Africa (1112 runs in 12 Tests).
- Most 100s: 6 centuries in 19 Tests by Jacques Kallis (South Africa).
- Most 50s: 10 half-centuries in 14 Tests by Hashim Amla of South Africa.
- Most ducks: 5 zeros in seven Tests by Danish Kaneria of Pakistan.
- Most sixes: 10 maximums in 19 Tests by Jacques Kallis.
- Most runs in a series: 421 runs in two Tests by Jacques Kallis during the South Africa tour of Pakistan in October 2007.
- Most wickets: 59 wickets in 13 Tests by Dale Steyn of South Africa.
- Best bowling figures (innings): 7 wickets for 29 runs in 11.4 overs by Kyle Abbott of South Africa in Centurion, February 2013.
- Best bowling figures (match): 11 wickets for 60 runs in 36.5 overs by Dale Steyn of South Africa in Johannesburg, February 2013.
- Most five-wicket hauls: 3 fifers each by Shaun Pollock, Dale Steyn, and Duanne Olivier (all three from South Africa).
- Most 10 wickets in a match: One 10-wicket haul each by Dale Steyn, Vernon Philander, and Duanne Olivier (all three from South Africa); Waqar Younis, Hasan Ali, and Saeed Ajmal (all three from Pakistan).
- Most wickets in a series: 24 wickets in three Tests by Duanne Olivier of South Africa during the Pakistan tour of South Africa in 2018-19.
- Most dismissals: 55 (48 catches, 7 stumpings) in 15 Tests by Mark Boucher of South Africa.
- Most catches: 23 catches in 16 Tests by Graeme Smith of South Africa.
- Highest partnership: 368 runs for the 1st wicket between Graeme Smith and Herschelle Gibbs of South Africa in Cape Town, January 2003.
- Most matches: 19 Tests by Jacques Kallis (South Africa).
- Most wins as captain: 7 wins in 14 Tests as captain for Graeme Smith of South Africa.
In the last Test series played between South Africa and Pakistan in January-February 2021, Pakistan defeated the Proteas in both the matches played in front of home fans.
