South Africa sealed their spot in the 2023-2025 ICC World Test Championship final after a thrilling two-wicket win against Pakistan in the Boxing Day Test. Here’s how they achieved it.
South Africa’s Resilience in the Boxing Day Test
South Africa’s qualification for the ICC World Test Championship (WTC) final became official after their dramatic two-wicket victory over Pakistan in Centurion. This gripping encounter, which ended on Sunday, saw South Africa successfully chase down 148 runs, securing the crucial win despite being in a perilous position early on the final day. With this victory, they became the first team to clinch a place in the WTC final for the 2023-2025 cycle.
The Path to Victory: South Africa’s Fightback
At the beginning of day five, South Africa faced a daunting task. After finishing day four at 27/3, they still needed 121 more runs to win. The game seemed to be slipping away from them, with Pakistan on the verge of completing a remarkable turnaround. By the lunch interval, South Africa were reeling at 116/8, requiring 32 more runs to avoid defeat. Pakistan, on the other hand, needed just two wickets to wrap up a stunning victory.
The Opening Partnership: Markram and Bavuma’s Resistance
South Africa’s chase of a modest target had started on a promising note with Aiden Markram and Temba Bavuma at the crease. The two made steady progress in the morning session, building a vital partnership. The pair extended their overnight score to 43 runs before the breakthrough came in the form of Mohammad Abbas. Markram, who had been solid, fell for 37 runs, having faced 63 balls and struck six boundaries. This brought a halt to South Africa’s chase, and the pressure mounted on the middle order.
Abbas’ Incredible Spell
Mohammad Abbas made an extraordinary return to international cricket in this match, delivering a match-winning spell. The veteran fast bowler made an impact immediately after the resumption of play on the final day, dismissing Bavuma for 40. The South African captain had faced 78 balls, hitting four boundaries and a six, but Abbas’ persistence proved too much.
Abbas didn’t stop there; he went on to claim two more wickets in quick succession, including that of David Bedingham (14) and debutant Corbin Bosch (0). At this stage, South Africa were left in a precarious situation at 99/8, with only two wickets remaining and the target in sight.
The Resilience of Jansen and Rabada
In what seemed like a sinking ship, Marco Jansen and Kagiso Rabada stood strong to salvage South Africa’s chances. With the collapse of their top order, these two tail-enders played an invaluable role in getting their team across the line. The ninth-wicket partnership was key, as they combined to add 17 runs before the lunch break. This partnership, though small, gave the Proteas hope that they could still pull off an unlikely victory.
Rabada, who had been steady at the crease, was unbeaten on 10 runs, while Jansen, having faced five balls, was yet to make a significant score. The partnership continued to frustrate the Pakistan bowlers as they struggled to find a way through the two resolute South African batters.
The Final Push: Victory Secured
When the players returned after the break, South Africa needed just 32 runs to win, with Rabada and Jansen at the crease. The Pakistan team, led by Abbas, was confident they could seal the deal and close in on victory. However, the resilience and determination of the two South African tailenders ensured that the game did not slip away.
In a remarkable display of composure under pressure, Rabada and Jansen steered the South African ship home, scoring the required runs. Rabada’s calm batting and Jansen’s gritty defense were enough to see South Africa to a historic victory.
The two players remained unbeaten, with Rabada finishing on 23* and Jansen on 13*. This partnership helped South Africa secure an unforgettable victory and a place in the WTC final. The final score was South Africa 148/8, with a thrilling two-wicket win.
South Africa’s World Test Championship Journey
With this win, South Africa moved to the top of the WTC standings with 88 points from 11 matches, giving them a points percentage (PCT) of 66.67%. This puts them ahead of Australia (58.89%) and India (55.89%), who are currently tied in their ongoing Border-Gavaskar Trophy series.
This triumph also marked a significant achievement for South Africa as they became the first team to qualify for the WTC final, with other teams still vying for the remaining spots.
Pakistan’s Unfortunate Collapse
For Pakistan, the collapse came as a major disappointment after they had been in control of the match. The breakthrough performances from Abbas, who claimed six wickets in the second innings, had put Pakistan in the driver’s seat. Naseem Shah and Khurram Shahzad also contributed with a wicket each, bringing the team tantalizingly close to victory.
However, despite all their efforts, the final wicket stand between Jansen and Rabada proved to be a bridge too far for Pakistan. They will undoubtedly rue their inability to finish the match after dominating large parts of the final day.
Looking Ahead: The WTC Final
South Africa’s qualification for the WTC final adds another exciting chapter to the story of the 2023-2025 cycle. As the final approaches, South Africa will be looking to capitalize on their recent success and challenge the best teams in world cricket. The resilience shown by their tailenders, Jansen and Rabada, will inspire confidence in the team’s ability to fight through adversity, no matter how tough the situation.
FAQs about South Africa’s Qualification for the WTC Final
Q1: How did South Africa qualify for the WTC final? South Africa secured their spot in the 2023-2025 ICC World Test Championship final after defeating Pakistan in the Boxing Day Test by two wickets. Their victory ensured that they topped the points table with 88 points.
Q2: Who were the standout players in South Africa’s victory? Kagiso Rabada and Marco Jansen played key roles in South Africa’s dramatic victory, with the two tailenders forming a crucial ninth-wicket partnership that steered them to the win.
Q3: How many points does South Africa have in the WTC standings? With their win over Pakistan, South Africa moved to 88 points from 11 matches, giving them a points percentage (PCT) of 66.67%, placing them at the top of the WTC standings.
Q4: How did Pakistan perform in the match? Pakistan’s Mohammad Abbas was the standout performer, taking six wickets in the second innings. Despite this, Pakistan fell short by two wickets, with South Africa’s tailenders surviving to secure victory.
Q5: Who are the other contenders for the WTC final? As of now, Australia and India are the other strong contenders for a spot in the WTC final, with both teams in a heated series for the second position.
Conclusion
South Africa’s dramatic victory in Centurion will be remembered as one of the most thrilling moments in recent Test cricket history. With a place in the 2023-2025 ICC World Test Championship final now secured, South Africa will look to build on this triumph and aim for glory in the ultimate Test match showdown. As for Pakistan, while their efforts were commendable, the inability to finish off the match will be a harsh lesson for their team moving forward.
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