The Boxing Day Test Match between Pakistan and South Africa in Centurion moved at a rapid pace on day one as the fifteen wickets fell down in 3 sessions.
Pakistan who opted to bat on a green and tricky surface faced some serious challenge from the South African bowlers early in the morning. Kagiso Rabada started the proceedings followed by Dale Steyn who broke the record of South Africa’s great Shaun Pollock in terms of the most number of wickets in Tests.
At lunch, Pakistan was 76/4 and after that, they were 111/8, but thanks to the man in form Babar Azam who scored a blistering fifty that took Pakistan to 181 all out in their first innings. Babar scored 71 off just 79 balls with 15 fours at a strike rate of just below 90. He also smashed four 4s in an over to Dale Steyn in different directions of the ground.
D Olivier was the main striking bowler from South Africa who took 6 wickets in his 14 overs. He took the wickets of Shan Masood, Asad Shafiq, Azhar Ali, Sarfaraz Ahmed, Mohammad Amir, and Shaheen Shah Afridi.
In reply, Pakistani bowlers were also at the top of their game. From Pakistan, Hassan Ali started the proceedings and sent AK Markram to the pavilion when the score of South Africa was just 19. The second wicket fell down at the score of 43 followed by the wickets of D Elgar and F du Plessis on the same score.
At stumps, South Africa was 127/5. Thanks to the handy knock from T Bavuma who is still on the crease on 38 with Dale Steyn.
