Pakistan [378, 86/3] defeat South Africa [220, 245] by 7 wickets in the 1st Test in Karachi

[Rajdeep]

Congrats Pakistan

:

 

[Titan24]

What did I say? Should have brought in Maharaj earlier. De Kock's captainy

Good call.

 

[BunnyRabbit]

Fitting that winning runs are hit by Fawad.

 

[NeVerMind]

It was destined that Fawad would hit the winning runs at Karachi stadium

 

[Mean&Green]

Well fawad deserved to finish it what a way to end after 10 years your home ground cricket back in Pakistan after 14 years and being the man of the match as well.

 

[PakPremi]

Lol at those who compare Babar Azam to Kohli, Williamson, Smith.

Why?
He played beautifully except for the dismissal delivery.

 

[90MPH]

De Kock is not captain martial - looks like a deer in headlights

 

[the Great Khan]

He's comfortably a rung below them.

he's also younger than them and plays less test cricket. He will learn and surpass them in due time

 

[shah_1]

Babar against left arm spinner is bit like a tail ender

 

[PakPremi]

He's comfortably a rung below them.

With experience he will be in their group.

 

[Belawal2014]

Fawad's fitness is remarkable.

 

[Maliq_Mudasir]

Congratulations to Pakistan and my sympathies to those are still whining about outfield.

 

[Shaddy86]

Chacha Nouman should get the MoM. I'd be disappointed if he doesn't, batsmen always get the advantage.

 

[Cric1234]

Good win for Pakistan spin as usual doing he damage after SA looked on course to set a decent target a collapse was possible with spin and a batting line up lacking in depth under these conditions.

 

[JibranAnsari]

really worried about babar azam against spin.

 

[PakPremi]

Fawad and Azhar deserve a lot of accolades for true grit fight they sown to win Pakistan this match. Yasir and Nauman also made massive contributions. And good contribution from Faheem and Babar.

 

[Firebat]

 

[Belawal2014]

he's also younger than them and plays less test cricket. He will learn and surpass them in due time

With experience he will be in their group.

I hope so.

 

[Cric1234]

Their main batsmen failed despite very good batting yesterday from the top 3 disappointing effort to collapse like they did conditions playing a big part.

 

[PakPremi]

really worried about babar azam against spin.

No need he will sort it out he is very hard worker and quick learner.

 

[Titan24]

really worried about babar azam against spin.

He is a top player so I am pretty sure he will get his issues resolved. He would have had similar struggles in other phases of his career as well, how he comes on top of them is what makes him special.

 

[Majestic_Inzi]

Just imagine if they were chasing 170... Pak would have struggled..

 

[Cric1234]

Under these conditions we are capable of beating teams but what happens when the pitch assists the fast bowlers more we’ll find out next match unless the curators change it to a more spinning wicket.

 

[Amjid Javed]

Abid dropped and saud into middle order should be one change for next test.

 

[Shoaibbtt]

Just imagine if they were chasing 170... Pak would have struggled..

Nah I reckon we would’ve got that also but you know what doesn’t matter we won!!!!!!

 

[Rayyman]

Nauman cleaned up the tail so it was an easy win.

Pakistan opening combo is a hug worry.

 

[Shoaibbtt]

Abid dropped and saud into middle order should be one change for next test.

Yep you could think about that as a change.

 

[Shoaibbtt]

Nauman cleaned up the tail so it was an easy win.

Pakistan opening combo is a hug worry.

It’s always been a worry, however let’s give Imran a fair chance an opening series for a newcomer and that to versus SA is never easy.

 

[Markhor]

Congratulations to all, a nice victory and a compelling Test match.

 

[PakPremi]

Someone also needs to have a word with Babar about wasting reviews to save his skin.

Wasting review lol match was all but over

 

[Maliq_Mudasir]

For next match, Abid should be replaced by Saud Shakeel with Azhar and Imran butt to open.

 

[Belawal2014]

For next match, Abid should be replaced by Saud Shakeel with Azhar and Imran butt to open.

Good idea, but knowing Misbah's track record, he'll opt to play the same winning combination.

 

[UzmanBeast]

The mistake he made in both innings was not getting to the pitch of the ball.

If he did that, he would not have lost his wicket both times.

 

[UzmanBeast]

We need to fix our opening combination and our opening bowling plan.

Is Shaheen going to keep searching for swing that does not exist, or will he start to use his height factor to disturb the openers. Should look to keep runs tight and make South African batsmen try to get runs.

Hasan Ali needs to bowl faster so that he's harder to bat against.

Faheem plays the holding role which Abbas used to do.

One of Haris or Tabish will probably be in consideration for the Pindi test.

 

[Mainul]

Nobody deserves to hit the winning runs other than Fawad Alam. What a moment for me!

 

[observer1]

Im content to see Abid play out this series. He got out to very awkward deliveries.

 

[Shoaibbtt]

Im content to see Abid play out this series. He got out to very awkward deliveries.

He got beaten for pace both times so can’t say that it was awkward.

 

[the Great Khan]

I get that but then I would also hope that he puts more energy in getting back to his best instead of his TikTok or Instagram stories

if he continues his shoada pun he will end up like his stupid cousins.

 

[asadee]

7 wicket victory coming up for Pakistan here

Good prediction man

 

[Babar_Azam_fan]

14 wickets to spinners
04 to pacers
02 run outs

07 Nauman
07 Yasir
02 Shaheen
02 Hassan
02 Run outs

 

[MenInG]

KARACHI: The Proteas failed to build on their fighting day three exploits with the bat and instead folded cheaply on day four of the first Test against Pakistan as debutant Nauman Ali claimed five wickets to bowl the hosts to a seven-wicket win at the National Stadium in Karachi on Friday.

Resuming on 187 for four at the start, South Africa were rolled over for just 245 as slow left-armer Nauman became the oldest man from his country to claim a five-for in his first international game – the 34-year-old nabbing five for 35 in 25.3 painstaking overs for the tourists.

Pakistan’s other dangerman, leg spinner Yasir Shah, claimed four for 79 meaning the visitors had lost their last nine wickets for just 70.

That left the home side needing just 88 for victory, and despite Anrich Nortje claiming two for 24, Azhar Ali and Babar Azam lead their side to a comfortable win midway through what turned out to be the final day.

Defeat for Mark Boucher’s side will be tough, especially after the fighting display with the bat by Aiden Markram and Rassie van der Dussen, who both hit half-centuries in a wonderful 127-run second-wicket stand on Thursday.

The pair dug deep, before both fell along with Faf du Plessis, late in the day to leave as the Proteas fell from 175 for one to 185 for four.

They began day four by losing nightwatchman Keshav Maharaj, bowled first ball by Hasan Ali for two, before captain Quinton de Kock (2) was undone by Yasir and caught by Abid Ali at short leg.

Temba Bavuma did display some of his fighting qualities with a battling 40, momentarily giving the South Africans hope of at least taking the lead past 100.

Together with George Linde (11), they took the score from 192 for six to 234. But it was the Nauman show from there as he claimed the last four wickets, including that of last-man Bavuma to leave SA all out in 100.3 overs.

Pakistan cruised to 22 for none at lunch, before Nortje dismissed Abid (10) and Imran Butt (12) in the same eighth over, but Azhar (31*) and Babar (30) settled nerves during a 63-run third-wicket partnership that led their side to victory.

The second and final Test of the tour gets underway in Rawalpindi next Thursday.

The Proteas Test squad: Quinton de Kock (captain, Momentum Multiply Titans), Temba Bavuma (Imperial Lions), Aiden Markram (Momentum Multiply Titans), Faf du Plessis (Momentum Multiply Titans), Dean Elgar (Momentum Multiply Titans), Kagiso Rabada (Imperial Lions), Dwaine Pretorius (Imperial Lions), Keshav Maharaj (Hollywoodbets Dolphins), Lungi Ngidi (Momentum Multiply Titans), Rassie van der Dussen (Imperial Lions), Anrich Nortje (Warriors), Wiaan Mulder (Imperial Lions), Lutho Sipamla (Imperial Lions), Beuran Hendricks (Imperial Lions), Kyle Verreynne (Six Gun Gill Cape Cobras), Sarel Erwee (Hollywoodbets Dolphins), Keegan Petersen (Hollywoodbets Dolphins), Tabraiz Shamsi (Momentum Multiply Titans), George Linde (Six Gun Grill Cape Cobras), Daryn Dupavillon (Hollywoodbets Dolphins), Ottniel Baartman (Hollywoodbets Dolphins).

Pakistan Test Series vs South Africa Itinerary

26-30 January - 1st Test: Proteas lost to Pakistan by seven wickets at the National Stadium, Karachi

04-08 February - 2nd Test, Rawalpindi

 

[Robert]

Zindabad!

 

[sweep_shot]

Congratulations to Pakistan.

Good win.

 

[Justcrazy]

100 is maximum Pakistan will have to chase , a 7 wicket win here

I said this when SA were still batting )

 

[Justcrazy]

Good prediction man

Thanks , but if you followed India vs Australia threads, I made similar predictions there as well , do not know how they coming true, probably a coincidence.

 

[Justcrazy]

Babar against left arm spinner is bit like a tail ender

Its not like that.

Normally Pakistan Batsmen do struggle against left arm spinners. Babaar has improved in Tests but still he is a better white ball player. He is a stroke player , so there will always be a chance of him getting out. I do not think coaches should do anything about it.

Slowly he will learn the art of negotiating spinners better.

 

[Justcrazy]

Nauman cleaned up the tail so it was an easy win.

Pakistan opening combo is a hug worry.

If Imran Butt has been brought in , they need to give him at least 5 - 6 test matches. Opening is not an easy job , most teams are struggling with that , so its important to let openers settle down.

 

[CricketBuff]

Abid dropped and saud into middle order should be one change for next test.

Normally you don't change a

 

[UzmanBeast]

Its not like that.

Normally Pakistan Batsmen do struggle against left arm spinners. Babaar has improved in Tests but still he is a better white ball player. He is a stroke player , so there will always be a chance of him getting out. I do not think coaches should do anything about it.

Slowly he will learn the art of negotiating spinners better.

1st Innings - He didn't account for the drift and the straighter one form Maharaj.

2nd Innings - In the attempt to correct his previous dismissal, he tried to cover his pad with the bat and the ball spun past.

The one common issue in both of these innings was that he never got to the pitch of the ball in both to smother the spin. This is where Misbah and Younis were excellent, they got forward and negated the spin of the ball even if it were a 5th day pitch. Once you eliminate the ability of the ball to spin, you have survived the ball and can tuck it through the gap. Babar needs to just reach out more in my opinion.

 

[Savak]

1st Innings - He didn't account for the drift and the straighter one form Maharaj.

2nd Innings - In the attempt to correct his previous dismissal, he tried to cover his pad with the bat and the ball spun past.

The one common issue in both of these innings was that he never got to the pitch of the ball in both to smother the spin. This is where Misbah and Younis were excellent, they got forward and negated the spin of the ball even if it were a 5th day pitch. Once you eliminate the ability of the ball to spin, you have survived the ball and can tuck it through the gap. Babar needs to just reach out more in my opinion.

These dismissals are unbecoming of a player who gets mentioned alongside Kohli, Williamson, Smith e.t.c. You need to bowl a magical delivery to dismiss these players, they do not give their wickets away on a platter.

 

[Savak]

Not happy with our openers. Soft targets like this should be chased with 10-9 wickets in hand. We lost 2-3 wickets too many and Babar Azam got out in a very amateurish way.

Also am extremely unhappy with our pace bowlers, the spinners will not alway bail them out. Also while Faheem Ashraf is expected to do a holding job, it doesn't look good for him to go wicketless in every innings he bowls, he should atleast chip in with 1-2 wickets

 

[dildilpak]

This was an easy win without Pak playing anywhere close to its best cricket. I think with the confidence of this win Pakistan will absolutely dominate the next match.

 

[shamaan]

Good win set up by the spinners

 

[Justcrazy]

1st Innings - He didn't account for the drift and the straighter one form Maharaj.

2nd Innings - In the attempt to correct his previous dismissal, he tried to cover his pad with the bat and the ball spun past.

The one common issue in both of these innings was that he never got to the pitch of the ball in both to smother the spin. This is where Misbah and Younis were excellent, they got forward and negated the spin of the ball even if it were a 5th day pitch. Once you eliminate the ability of the ball to spin, you have survived the ball and can tuck it through the gap. Babar needs to just reach out more in my opinion.

Yes , trying to reach the ball can be best way to play spin , no doubts , but sometimes the bowler bowls good balls with better flight and loop. I think ability to play back foot is also required. But I still think that Babaar stronger format would be OD. In Test Matches with close in fielders he will be found out now and then

 

[Muddaser]

Normally you don't change a

He adds nothing to the team.

 

[DHONI183]

A very very good win by Pakistan. A good comeback into the match which looked quite beyond reach by the end of the second day. It has been quite rare of late seeing Pakistan make a comeback of this nature in a Test match.

Fawad Alam obviously doesn´t have a great technique, well, quite poor in fact, but he has always had the determination and resolve to fight it out out there. He is an example of the fact that willpower goes a long way in any profession.

 

[UzmanBeast]

These dismissals are unbecoming of a player who gets mentioned alongside Kohli, Williamson, Smith e.t.c. You need to bowl a magical delivery to dismiss these players, they do not give their wickets away on a platter.

True, but every player has a few weaknesses (ie. Kohli and left-arm pace, Smith and off-spin, etc.)

However, the continuity of the weakness is what I don't like.

I've seen Babar struggle against LA spin in test cricket for a while. He plays it perfectly fine in white ball cricket, but he doesn't in test cricket.

Embuldeniya troubled him as well, so he needs to fix this because SA will definitely go with Maharaj in the second test.

 

[UzmanBeast]

Yes , trying to reach the ball can be best way to play spin , no doubts , but sometimes the bowler bowls good balls with better flight and loop. I think ability to play back foot is also required. But I still think that Babaar stronger format would be OD. In Test Matches with close in fielders he will be found out now and then

In ODI cricket, Babar moves his feet against spin much more than he does in test matches.

He looks apprehensive in test cricket against spin unless it's a right arm off spinner, which he plays comfortably.

Should practice in the nets with Nauman Ali to see where his problem is, it's the reaching out which is lacking IMO. He also needs to read the spin from the hand, when Maharaj bowls the straighter one, his wrist slides underneath the ball, so if Babar can see that he will know that it's the straight one.

 

[mazkhan]

He needs to come out of his crease more to either smother the ball early.

Or use the sweep or reverse sweep jos butler has mastered this shot in all formats.

Eventually you need to get hold of bowlers like mahraj and bully them by sending the ball over the ropes for a few good sixes , seize the initiative which can force the opposition to take that bowler out of the attack.