South Africa national cricket team named their playing XI for the first test of the two-match series against Pakistan national cricket team. The Boxing Day match between the teams will be played from December 26 at the Supersport Park in Centurion.
The opening combination for the South African national cricket team will remain unchanged as Tony de Zorzi and Aiden Markram will continue in the lead. The duo had a great outing in the series against the Sri Lankan national cricket team and would like to come up with an even better performance.
Ryan Rickelton, Tristan Stubbs, Temba Bavuma and David Bedingham will bat in the middle order for South Africa
Ryan Rickelton, who hit a sensational century against the Sri Lankan national cricket team, retains his place in the squad. While Tristan Stubbs will bat at number 4 in the first match. The young batsman has made great strides in his career in the longest format of the game and would be confident.
Skipper Temba Bavuma, who has gone through the purple patch in Tests, will bat at No.5 in the first match against the Pakistan national cricket team. He would like to continue his form and lead from the front.
David Bedingham will be 6, while Kyle Verreynne will be the goalkeeper. The former hasn't scored big in a while and would have a great opportunity to strengthen his case. While Verreynne recently hit a ton against Sri Lanka and would like to continue the same form.
Kagiso Rabada and Marco Jansen will be the two frontline pacers for the team while Dan Paterson will be the third fast bowler. In the absence of Keshav Maharaj, Corbin Bosch was named in the squad.
South Africa XI for first Test against Pakistan
Here is the Proteas playing XI for the first Test against Pakistan
Tony de Zorzi, Aiden Markram, Ryan Rickelton, Tristan Stubbs, Temba Bavuma, David Bedingham, Kyle Verreynne, Marco Jansen, Kagiso Rabada, Dane Paterson, Corbin Bosch
SA confirm XI for Boxing Day Test:
Tony de Zorzi, Aiden Markram, Ryan Rickelton, Tristan Stubbs, Temba Bavuma, David Bedingham, Kyle Verreynne, Marco Jansen, Kagiso Rabada, Dane Paterson, Corbin Bosch#SAvPAK— Firdose Moonda (@FirdoseM) December 24, 2024
The South African National Cricket Team is just one step away from the final of the ICC World Test Championship
The South African National Cricket Team is just one step away from the final of the ICC World Test Championship. They need to win just one match to book their place in the finals. With the kind of form they are in, it won't be a surprise if they win both games.
South Africa national cricket team won the test series against Bangladesh and then beat Sri Lanka as well. They would like to win the series against Pakistan as well to end and start the year on a high. The Temba Bavuma-led side are at the top of the ICC World Test Championship points table and would be looking to consolidate their position at home.