Day 1 of the first midterm exam South Africa and Pakistan in Centurion they put on a competitive display as the hosts finished in command. Pakistan, electing to bat first, struggled with the South African bowling, scoring 211 in their first innings. Dane Paterson he did very well, he took five wickets, while Corbin Bosch he gave the best treatment with four scalps. South Africa responded valiantly, ending the day on 82/3, and Aiden Markram tie the innings with an unbeaten 47. The hosts are on 129 runs and are in command heading into Day Two.
Dane Paterson and Corbin Bosch toppled Pakistan
Paterson was a master bowler with the ball, which resulted in him taking 5/61 in 16 overs. Using the bounce and seam movement provided by the Centurion pitch, Paterson dismantled Pakistan's top and middle order. He dismissed the captain Shan Masoodalways reliable Mohammad Rizwanand some sharp, disciplined batsmen. Pakistan never gained momentum, losing wickets regularly. Bosch support (4/63) provided important support, chasing important players like Kamran Ghulam and Amar Jamal. Together, the two ensured that Pakistan's innings lacked the necessary cohesion in the series.
Also WATCH: Dane Paterson sends Babar Azam carrying on Day 1 of SA vs PAK 1st Test
Kamran Ghulam stands tall amid the fall
Ghulam was the lone warrior in Pakistan's batting line-up, showing courage with a brilliant 54 off 71 balls. Arriving at the spot where Pakistan were struggling at 40/2, Ghulam played with confidence, hitting eight boundaries and a six. He combined with Rizwan in a crucial 81-run partnership for the fifth wicket, countering the relentless South African attack. However, Paterson ended his resistance before tea began, which led to the collapse of the order. While Jamal made a quick 28 off 27 balls, Pakistan's innings faltered as they lost their last five wickets for just 74 runs, managing 211 in 57.3 overs.
Aiden Markram leads the South African response
In response, South Africa started differently, losing Tony de Zorzi and Ryan Rickelton early to Khurram Shahzad's penalty bowling. At 24/2, the pressure was on Markram, who rose to the occasion with confidence and an unbeaten 47. Markram played with authority, hitting nine beautiful boundaries and showing composure amid the fall of wickets. Tristan Stubbs' dismissal by Mohammad Abbas in the 9th over added to South Africa's woes, but Markram found a steady partner. Temba Bavumawho remained undefeated at 4. And stumps, the pair guided South Africa to 82/3setting up a platform for the hosts to take control on the second day.
Here's how Twitter did it:
Back to Back Dane Paterson fivers!!!! 🔥🔥🔥🔥
PERFECT!!! HE WAS GREAT!!
Getting more people to eat plain pie.#SAvPAK pic.twitter.com/VOad2siUmU
– Lawrence Bailey ⚪ 🇿🇦 (@LawrenceBailey0) December 26, 2024
Dane Paterson's purple patch continues! Five more tests-for!!!! 👏#SAvPAK pic.twitter.com/vfXnOFGa6C
– ThePoppingCrease (@PoppingCreaseSA) December 26, 2024
Back to back 5 wickets by Dane Paterson 🔥🔥
All opponents hide
Pakistan 189/8 pic.twitter.com/auqBUgq6hg
– Werner (@Werries_) December 26, 2024
He said it before. Once I was checking the WP section. Dane Paterson was a very hard worker in the field. Every run, every run hard, pushing others to compete with him. The kind of person you want on your side
— BrentLFC (@BrentV_RSA) December 26, 2024
Corbin Bosch was at RR 3 years ago and was a man who chased success.
He has started well with the ball but it is worth remembering that he is almost 40 plus with the bat in FC 🏏. #SAvPAK pic.twitter.com/3HF9jax8ie— Ashwin 🇮🇳 (@ashinravi99) December 26, 2024
Corbin Bosch took 4 wickets in the first innings on debut. His parents' actions were very good 🥹🥹 #SAvPAK pic.twitter.com/3rPPDAoLAu
— naemah (@NaeemahBenjamin) December 26, 2024
Corbin Bosch on his debut bowls an effortless 145 KMPH with such a beautiful performance and a perfect strike at no7. High expectations for proteases.
– Prasanna (@prasannalara) December 26, 2024
Trivia: Corbin Bosch has a wicket on the first ball of his Test cricket. He is the third bowler to do so in 2024 after Shamar Joseph and Tshepo Moreki. It is the first time in Test history that three bowlers have achieved this feat in a calendar year.
– Mazher Arshad (@MazherArshad) December 26, 2024
⚪🟢Day 1 | Stumps
What a day for cricket! ☄️🏏
🇵🇰 Pakistan: 211/10 (1st Innings)
🇿🇦 South Africa: 82/3 after 22 overs at stumps.A good start for the Proteas.
Looking forward to more action tomorrow! 💪#Come with me #BePartOfIt #SAvPAK pic.twitter.com/v7DfIwOF7Y– Proteas Men (@ProteasMenCSA) December 26, 2024
2nd Wicket haul by Dane Paterson 👏🏏#cricket #SAvPAK #DanePaterson pic.twitter.com/jRPxmlsLvW
– CricketTimes.com (@CricketTimesHQ) December 26, 2024