South Africa Vs Pakistan Live Cricket Score 1st Test, Day 3: Fast bowler Corbin Bosch continued his strong debut with a record-breaking half century to help give South Africa the advantage in the first Test against Pakistan on Friday. Bosch’s unbeaten 81 off 93 balls — the highest by a No. 9 batter on his Test debut — earned South Africa a meaningful 90-run first innings lead as the home team got bowled out for 301.
Pakistan reached 88/3 and still trailed by two runs when early stumps were drawn on Day 2 because of bad light. Babar Azam was batting on 16 and Saud Shakeel was not out on 8.
South Africa needs to win one of the two Test matches against Pakistan to seal a place in the final of the World Test Championship at Lord’s next year with Sri Lanka, India and Australia also in the running.
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Well, Day 3 should have started by now but it is raining currently.
As we witnessed on both days, there were predictions of thunderstorms, but we haven’t seen any yet, therefore, the weather conditions are likely to remain dry, offering enough assistance for the bowlers to extract bounce, swing, and turn. The day promises to be a battle of mental and physical strength, where every run will count, and the team that can maintain its composure under pressure will emerge on top. With plenty of cricket left to play, the result of this Test remains wide open.
The morning session promises to be crucial, as Pakistan’s middle order must handle the pressure of an already difficult task to get past the trail and to put up a mammoth target on the board. With Babar Azam at the crease and Rizwan yet to bst, Pakistan’s hopes rest on them to anchor the innings and build partnerships with the remaining batters. South Africa’s bowlers, on the other hand will be looking to pick up quick wickets and reduce Pakistan to an even more precarious position. The pitch at Centurion, known for assisting both pace and spin, will be key in determining how the match unfolds. As the conditions change throughout the day, both teams will have to adapt swiftly.
South Africa, after a hard-fought innings, posted a solid total of 301, thanks to some gritty performances, particularly from debutant Corbin Bosch, who remained unbeaten on 81. Pakistan’s bowlers showed their resilience, but a lack of breakthroughs in key moments allowed the hosts to gain a slight upper hand. Then, Pakistan had their task cut out as they began their second innings, but despite a quick start, they lost a few wickets, finishing the day at 88/3, still 2 runs behind South Africa’s total.
Hello and a warm welcome folks! The first Test between South Africa and Pakistan has unfolded with intriguing moments, and as we enter Day 3, or as we like to call it, ‘Moving Day’, the match stands finely poised. The hosts will know that even a slight lapse in the field could result in game-changing moments. They will aim to exert more pressure with both ball and field placements, while Pakistan’s batters need to stay patient and counter the relentless attack. Both sides are aware that the first few hours of Day 3 will play a defining role in deciding the momentum for the rest of the match.
21.6 – Overpitched and on middle, Babar Azam drills it towards mid on.
Batsman_1 : Babar Azam 16(34)
Batsman_2 : Saud Shakeel 8(8)
Bowler : Dane Paterson 0/19(8)
Over : 22
Run : 4
Wicket : 0
Score : 88/3
21.5 – Goes fuller and on middle, angling in, Babar Azam steps across and flicks it away nicely. Tony de Zorzi at mid-wicket dives to his right to make a good stop.
21.4 – Hard length and outside off, shaping away, Babar Azam leaves it alone.
21.3 – FOUR! Put away! Short of a length and outside off. Babar Azam gets the chance to free his arms and cuts it away between point and gully for a boundary. The deficit is down to just 2 runs now!
21.2 – Full again and on off, Babar Azam steps across and knocks it to the left of the bowler.
21.1 – Fuller one and on off, Babar Azam pushes it to short covers.
20.6 – Marco Jansen bangs this one short and around off, takes off quite a bit, Saud Shakeel leaves it alone.
Batsman_1 : Saud Shakeel 8(8)
Batsman_2 : Babar Azam 12(28)
Bowler : Marco Jansen 2/17(4)
Over : 21
Run : 9
Wicket : 0
Score : 84/3
20.5 – FOUR! Lovely shot! Overpitched and on off, Saud Shakeel leans onto his drive nicely and creams it through covers for another boundary. He holds the pose for the cameras as well. Pakistan trail by just 6 runs now!
20.4 – Loose shot! Short of a length and outside off, Saud Shakeel slashes at it but misses due to the extra bounce.
20.3 – FOUR! Up and over! Marco Jansen goes full and wide outside off. Saud Shakeel accepts the width on offer and throws his hands at it slicing it over point for a boundary.
20.2 – Hard length and on off, angling in, Babar Azam works it off inner half of the bat to the leg side for a single. Pakistan trail by 14 runs now!
20.1 – BEATEN! Marco Jansen hits the good length and on off, holds its line, Babar Azam has a tentative push at it but gets beaten on the outside edge.
19.6 – Another full delivery, on off, Saud Shakeel pushes it to short covers.
Batsman_1 : Saud Shakeel 0(4)
Batsman_2 : Babar Azam 11(26)
Bowler : Dane Paterson 0/15(7)
Over : 20
Run : 1
Wicket : 0
Score : 75/3
19.5 – Goes fuller again and on off, angling in, Saud Shakeel keeps it out on the pitch.
19.4 – Good length and around off, shapes away, Saud Shakeel lets it go to the keeper.
19.3 – Full again and on off, shapes in, Babar Azam strides out to play but gets an inside edge towards fine leg for a single.
19.2 – Pitched up and on middle, Babar Azam knocks it towards mid on.
19.1 – Fuller one and on middle, angling in, Babar Azam blocks it out.
18.6 – Short of a length and outside off, Saud Shakeel leaves it alone.
Batsman_1 : Saud Shakeel 0(1)
Batsman_2 : Babar Azam 10(23)
Bowler : Marco Jansen 2/8(3)
Over : 19
Run : 4
Wicket : 1
Score : 74/3
18.5 – OUT! TAKEN! Typical Marco Jansen response! He just let the ball do the talking here. Hits the length hard and just on off, angles in and then moves away. Kamran Ghulam gets drawn on his front foot and pushes at it with hard hands. The extra bounce means the ball flies off the shoulder of the bat towards gully. Ryan Rickelton does extremely well to get his hands down quickly to catch it with the ball dying on him. Similar to the Stubbs catch earlier. The umpires want to check again but the replays show that the fingers are underneath and it is a clean catch. Pakistan three down now and still trails by 16 runs!
18.4 – FOUR! Gets off the mark in style! Short of a length and outside off. Kamran Ghulam pounces on it early and smashes it through covers for a boundary.
18.3 – So close! Touch fuller and on off, angles in and then straightens off the deck. Kamran Ghulam stays back in his crease and tries to play but the ball zips past the outside edge.
18.2 – Nicely bowled! Short of a length and on off, takes off and shapes away, Kamran Ghulam has a feel for it but gets beaten on the outside edge.
17.6 – On a length and on middle, Babar Azam nudges it to mid-wicket. MAIDEN OVER!
Batsman_1 : Babar Azam 10(23)
Batsman_2 : Kamran Ghulam 0(3)
Bowler : Dane Paterson 0/14(6)
Over : 18
Run : 0
Wicket : 0
Score : 70/2
18.1 – Fuller one and around off, angling in, Kamran Ghulam leaves it alone.
