Tension mounts as Proteas battle to secure WTC final berth

Ongama Gcwabe|Published 2 months ago

South Africa's Marco Jansen took 6/52 as the Proteas restricted Pakistan to 237 all out in their second innings. | AFP

Pakistan 211 all out and 237 all out

Saud Shakeel 84; Marco Jansen 6/52

South Africa 301 all out and 27/3

Aiden Markram 22*; Mohammad Abbas 2/3

South African need 121 runs to win with seven wickets in hand

Heading into Day 4 at SuperSport Park in Centurion, South Africa are more than a hundred runs shy and three wickets short from making their first-ever World Test Championship (WTF) final appearance at Lord's next year.

Pakistan grabbed their cluster of wickets in the last hour of play on 'Moving Day' as South Africa targeted a lowish 148 runs, to not only win the Test match, but to also qualify for next year's WTC showdown against either Australia or India in London.

Having bowled out Pakistan for 237 in the third innings with a lead of 147 runs, courtesy of a Marco Jansen’s 6/52, South Africa found themselves in all sorts of trouble at stumps. Tony de Zorzi (2) was the first to go, trapped LBW yet again, with his head falling over on the off side, as the left-handed batter played around a Mohamad Abbas straight delivery to hand the visitors their first scalp.

Pakistan's Saud Shakeel frustrated the Proteas on Day 3 of the first Test with a stubborn 84. | AFP

Ryan Rickelton (0) then fell in the same manner off a Khurram Shazad (1/22) delivery, while Tristan Stubbs (1) followed in the exact same manner as he became Abbas' second scalp of the day to hand Pakistan some hope heading into the fourth day of the Test match.

Earlier, South Africa rolled over Pakistan, as Marco Jansen grabbed a six-for. Despite the 24-year-old’s tally, Kagiso Rabada (2/68) was by far the most impressive bowler as he kept beating the batters' edges without much luck.

Pakistan's Babar Azam (50) and Saud Shakeel (84) put on a dangerous looking 79-run, fourth-wicket partnership to give the visitors some confidence on a deteriorating wicket.

With the two batters set, the Proteas bowlers were under pressure, despite the gloomy overhead conditions. Jansen was South Africa's saviour, as the lanky left-arm fast bowler turned his fortunes around to help South Africa break the Azam-Shakeel partnership, before wrapping up the tail to hand South Africa a decent total to chase.

Heading into Day 4, all hopes will be on Proteas batters Aiden Markram (22*) and captain Temba Bavuma (0*) to lead South Africa to victory.