Fast bowlers Kagiso Rabada and Marco Jansen became batting heroes on Sunday as South Africa beat Pakistan by two wickets to win a thrilling first Test in Centurion and book a place in next year’s World Test Championship final.
Rabada scored 31 and Jansen 16 in an unbeaten partnership of 51 off 50 balls to see South Africa cross the line and deny Pakistan a dramatic comeback after Mohammed Abbas took six wickets as he wrecked the home batting order.
The Test had an ending more like that of a Twenty20 match, as the finalists achieved success after South Africa fell dramatically before lunch and saw Pakistan on the brink of success.
Rabada, ranked the second-best Test bowler, however emerged as an unlikely batting hero, while Jansen smashed the winning runs with a graceful drive to the boundary.
Abbas, back in the team after a three-year absence, had brought Pakistan closer when he took four wickets in a marathon spell of 13 successive overs before lunch as South Africa put in hard work to chase a modest target of 148.
Abbas, whose overall figures were 6-54 in 19.3 overs, caused a dramatic collapse after South Africa looked headed for a comfortable victory with 50 runs needed and six wickets in hand.
His haul included the fortunate dismissal of captain Temba Bavuma for 40, who walked after thinking he had passed the ball towards the keeper, but will regret not reviewing the decision as television replays showed he had not touched his bat but his pocket. on the way.
Abbas also bowled Aiden Markram and caught David Bedingham and Corbin Bosch behind – Bosch was first to the ball to see South Africa fall from 96-4 to 99-8.
South Africa, who host Pakistan in the second Test at Newlands next Friday, have won six consecutive Tests, starting with success in the West Indies in August and following up with two Test series victories in Bangladesh and then Sri Lanka the month past. .
They rose to the top of the WTC standings after beating Sri Lanka in Gqeberha, but needed one more series win against Pakistan to secure a place in the June 11-15 final at Lords.
