With the match finely poised, the first session of Day 4 will be pivotal in deciding the outcome. Both teams are determined to seize the initiative, and the battle for supremacy will undoubtedly continue to provide thrilling moments. As the players take to the field, the Centurion crowd can expect an exciting day of Test cricket, with both teams knowing the significance of every ball bowled and every run scored.

Day 2 was a rollercoaster of emotions as South Africa tightened their grip before Pakistan fought back late. Aiden Markram led the charge with a classy 89, sharing key stands with Temba Bavuma and the tail. Corbin Bosch stole the show with a sensational unbeaten 81, powering South Africa to a vital 90-run lead. Pakistan began their reply with purpose, but Kagiso Rabada and Marco Jansen struck crucial blows to leave them wobbling. Babar Azam survived nervy moments while Saud Shakeel showcased resilience as the pair reduced the deficit to just 2 runs before bad light brought an end to a thrilling day!

South Africa’s chances heavily rely on the performance of Aiden Markram and Temba Bavuma, the team’s captain and mainstay in the middle order. Bavuma and Markram have been some of South Africa’s most consistent batters in recent years and will need to step up once again to guide their team through this tricky phase. Aiden Markram has the ability to anchor the innings and has shown his mettle under pressure, but he will need support from the lower order to get the hosts over the line. The next few hours will be critical in determining whether South Africa can complete a successful chase or if Pakistan can claim a famous win in Centurion.

Pakistan’s bowlers, particularly the seamers, have shown great discipline and skill, reducing the hosts to a precarious position. The likes of Khurram Shahzad and Mohammad Abbas will be eyeing further breakthroughs as they look to capitalize on South Africa’s vulnerabilities. Their disciplined approach throughout the match has kept them firmly in the contest, and with the weather conditions on their side, the visitors will be confident they can defend the target.

Hello and a warm welcome folks! As Day 4 of the first Test between South Africa and Pakistan unfolds, the match remains delicately poised with everything to play for. South Africa will resume their chase of 148 runs, having ended Day 3 at 27 for 3, still needing 121 more runs to secure victory. Some tight bowling from Pakistan has exposed their top order, and the pressure is on as they try to mount a successful run chase and book a place in the WTC final.

Right then, that is it from a scintillating Day 3 or this first Test. For the first time, we can say that South Africa do not have that slight advantage anymore as Pakistan have roared back in this contest and it is nicely poised. With how the game stands at the moment, unless the weather plays a big part, we will not be going to the final day. Day 4 will start at 8 am GMT, but you can join us early for all the build-up. Cheers!

Marco Jansen delivered a masterclass in the second session, ripping through Pakistan’s batting lineup and leaving them teetering at 212/8. After a rain-hit morning and a delayed start, hopes were high as Babar Azam and Saud Shakeel crafted brilliant fifties to steady the innings. But Babar’s dismissal at 50 opened the floodgates, triggering a collapse from 153/3 to 176/6. Poor shot selection from Mohammad Rizwan and Salman Agha compounded Pakistan’s woes, while a late fight from Shakeel and Aamer Jamal offered a flicker of resistance.

Saud Shakeel fought valiantly with a brilliant 84, shepherding the tail to stretch Pakistan’s lead close to 150 in a gritty final session. The target, though modest, promised drama on a spicy surface favoring the pacers. South Africa’s chase began shakily as Tony de Zorzi and Ryan Rickelton fell early, leaving the hosts wobbling. Aiden Markram stood firm amidst the chaos, showing immense grit, but Tristan Stubbs’ late dismissal added to the tension. Mohammad Abbas and Khurram Shahzad were fantastic with the ball and will come out again with more belief that they can defend this target. With bad light ending play, the stage is set for an electrifying finish on Day 4 in this thrilling contest.

THAT WILL BE STUMPS ON DAY 3 DUE TO BAD LIGHT! Session Summary – 52 runs and 5 wickets in 16.4 overs! What an emphatic day of Test cricket! Despite losing the entire first session, most of the second session, and a few overs in the third session as well, this game has not failed to deliver. Pakistan batted with determination and grit to set up a decent target on this track, and then their bowlers backed it up with some fine spells. South Africa would have liked to be a in better position, but they ended the day on 27/3, needing another 121 runs to win.

The conditions are pretty gloomy out here! We can see the umpires taking a reading with the light meter. It looks like it is not safe for the pacers to bowl, so they ask Shan Masood whether he wants to continue with a spinner. The answer is a firm ‘NO’ and the players are making their way out of the ground now shaking hands with each other.

8.6 – On a good length, outside off, Aiden Markram shoulders arms to let it go to the keeper.

Batsman_1 : Aiden Markram 22(25)

Batsman_2 : Temba Bavuma 0(1)

Bowler : Khurram Shahzad 1/22(5)

Over : 9

Run : 8

Wicket : 0

Score : 27/3

8.5 – FOUR! Expertly done by Aiden Markram. Bowls full and on stumps, shaping away. Aiden Markram picks up the length instantly and just looks to time it past wide mid on as the ball races towards the boundary cushions in a flash.

8.4 – Back of a length, outside off, nips away. Aiden Markram leaves it be.

8.3 – Full and outside off, shapes away. Aiden Markram leaves alone off the front foot.

8.2 – FOUR! Streaky that from Aiden Markram but at this point they will take it. Full and outside off, swinging away. Aiden Markram flays his bat at it. The ball takes a healthy outside edge and flies past the gully region and races towards the deep backward point fence for a boundary.

8.1 – On a good length, shaping away. Aiden Markram rocks forward and leaves it alone.

Drinks! South Africa are reeling at 19/3 with still time left for the day. They cannot afford to lose any more wickets before Stumps or else, they will have a mountain to climb here. Aiden Markram holds the key for them, while the others also need to support him. Pakistan are on top at the moment with Mohammad Abbas breathing fire and Khurram Shahzad also getting the ball to talk. They know a wicket or two, and they will enter Day 4 with full control. Also, Temba Bavuma is the next man in.

7.6 – Short of a length, just outside off, angling in, Temba Bavuma shoulders arms to let it go.

Batsman_1 : Temba Bavuma 0(1)

Batsman_2 : Aiden Markram 14(19)

Bowler : Mohammad Abbas 2/3(4)

Over : 8

Run : 0

Wicket : 1

Score : 19/3

7.5 – OUT! LBW! Mohammad Abbas strikes again! Another fine review from Pakistan. Goes fuller this time and changes the line to stumps around off and middle, nips away a shy bit. Tristan Stubbs looks to defend it with the full face of the bat from the front foot but gets beaten on the outside edge and wears it on the pads. Abbas and every other Pakistani player appeal for LBW but the umpire isn’t convinced enough to raise the finger! Shan Masood has gone upstairs after asking from the slip fielders and keeper. UltraEdge confirms no bat involved and Ball Tracking comes up with three reds much to the delight of the visitors. Tristan Stubbs has to depart now. Third down for South Africa and they still need 129 runs to win!

7.4 – Back of a length, just outside off, takes off from the surface, Tristan Stubbs leaves it bravely as the ball isn’t very far from the off stump.

7.3 – Good length, outside off, straightens off the deck, Tristan Stubbs shoulders arms to let it go.

7.2 – Drags his length, around off, seaming in, a little bit of extra bounce, Tristan Stubbs gets an inside edge to square leg from the front foot.

7.1 – full, around middle, angling in, Tristan Stubbs comes forward and tucks it to mid-wicket.

5.6 – Good length and on off again, nips back in, Tristan Stubbs leaves it alone again.

Batsman_1 : Tristan Stubbs 1(5)

Batsman_2 : Aiden Markram 10(13)

Bowler : Mohammad Abbas 1/3(3)

Over : 6

Run : 3

Wicket : 0

Score : 15/2

6.6 – Back of a length, outside off, shaping away. Aiden Markram chops it down. The ball rolls over towards point.

Batsman_1 : Aiden Markram 14(19)

Batsman_2 : Tristan Stubbs 1(5)

Bowler : Khurram Shahzad 1/14(4)

Over : 7

Run : 4

Wicket : 0

Score : 19/2

6.5 – Full and on the middle stump, swings away. Aiden Markram opens up his body to defend it down the line of the ball, towards mid on.

6.4 – Crunched away off the back foot! Goes shorter this time, outside off, shaping away. Aiden Markram picks up length in an instant, rocks back and punches it away towards sweeper cover. The ball races away towards the fence in an instant. Timed it perfectly.

6.3 – Closer to the off stump this time, swinging away through the air. Aiden Markram stands tall and is right behind it to defend it towards cover.

6.2 – Slightly further away from outside the off stump, nips away. Aiden Markram stands tall and leaves it alone.

6.1 – Full and outside off, shapes away. Aiden Markram leaves it well off the front foot.