South Africa (301 & 150/8) claim a hard-earned win by 2 wickets in the first Test against Pakistan (211 & 237) to go 1-0 up in the 2-match series

[FearlessRoar]

South Africa end Day 3 at 27/3 in their second innings, needing 148 more runs to win the first Test against Pakistan. Mohammad Abbas (2/3) and Khurram Shahzad (1/22) took early wickets to apply pressure on the hosts, as the visitors were bowled out for 237 in their second innings. Saud Shakeel’s 84 and Babar Azam’s 50 were the only bright spots on a rain-impacted day.

Can Pakistan bowl out South Africa and pull off a miraculous win on Day 4?

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Warning:

All posters please take note of the following guidelines for match threads on PakPassion:

1. No personal insults at other posters, players, officials, coaching staffs etc.

2. No making fun of player's, official's, coaching staff's names.

3. Do not add any references to media, their social media or post any pictures or screenshots from other sports websites.

4. Stick to commenting on this match. There is no need to bring other countries into the match discussion as there are plenty of other threads where those discussions can be added.

 

[jnaveen1980]

Match is certainly going to be over one way or the other. Will be quiet a fascinating day.

 

[Advaith]

Yes ..they can ..It's 50:50 match now.. Tomorrow 2 wickets for another 40 to 50 runs it will be Pakistan's match..

 

[Xoib]

Need to make it 50/5-6 with Markram and Bavuma gone to have any chance right now it’s a long shot

 

[Xoib]

It might by wishful thinking but I am hoping we get a coming of age type performance from Naseem tommorow

 

[Ahmed216]

Surface got variable bounce now. Need to bowl straight to have a chance. Don't have the pace to bounce Saffers out

 

[Kianig89]

We can pull it off, hope for the best nothing is impossible, early wickets req.

 

[RidiculousMan]

Need to get Markram early

 

[ali_ed2006]

Need to make it 50/5-6 with Markram and Bavuma gone to have any chance right now it’s a long shot

Yeah absolutely. If they don't get Markaram by then they need to get 2 other guys out at least to build pressure.

 

[gazza619]

Need to get Markram early

Shan got him out previously

 

[shamaan]

They need to get these two out who are at crease in the first hour of play.

 

[GLORY OF '92]

Think SA will finish it within 25 overs

 

[FearlessRoar]

Salman Ali Agha can produce a good spell tomorrow as i think pitch will get more cracks tomorrow

 

[IMMY69]

Have to make them work really hard for each run... this means hitting a good line and length and the pitch has more than enough in it for something to happen.... the bowlers have to be patient and not go searching for wickets , at least not initially

 

[Amjid Javed]

Pakistan pretty much need 3 wickets in 1st 30 mins of play, even then its a tough ask

 

[heddie19]

Markram Bavuma and Bosch. Need these 3 wickets ASAP and we are winning it.

 

[ethan hunt]

Pakistan need to be accurate and stifle them. The pitch will do enough and play with the minds of the Southafricans. Do NOT go searching for wickets.

 

[emranabbas]

I Have faith in Aqib Javed, he’ll pull some strings, and hopefully, Pakistan will come out on top.

 

[Wasim Ghulam]

Markram Bavuma and Bosch. Need these 3 wickets ASAP and we are winning it.

Bosch’s innings was result of ordinary captaincy by Shan. He did nt have 3rd slip in for unknown reasons when SA was reduced to 7 wickets for 190 plus. Bosch Edged it straight through third slip under 10. why would you not attack when Team is down 7 before 200? beyond me

 

[The Bald Eagle]

I Have faith in Aqib Javed, he’ll pull some strings, and hopefully, Pakistan will come out on top.

Let's see bro, but I don't have any

 

[emranabbas]

Let's see bro, but I don't have any

You won't due to your political stance.

 

[Deewana Mastana]

I Have faith in Aqib Javed, he’ll pull some strings, and hopefully, Pakistan will come out on top.

I don't have faith in the guy you put forward.

 

[The Bald Eagle]

You won't due to your political stance.

Got it wrong man...I was just speaking of my intuition. Could be wrong

 

[heddie19]

Let's see bro, but I don't have any

I don't trust Aqib tbh!

 

[heddie19]

Bosch’s innings was result of ordinary captaincy by Shan. He did nt have 3rd slip in for unknown reasons when SA was reduced to 7 wickets for 190 plus. Bosch Edged it straight through third slip under 10. why would you not attack when Team is down 7 before 200? beyond me

I have to agree that Shan is a below average captain. Only his intent bat at higher run-rate is what I see as a positive.

 

[Wasim Ghulam]

I have to agree that Shan is a below average captain. Only his intent bat at higher run-rate is what I see as a positive.

he has tried to hide his weaknesses through aggressive batting but it has not come off. He has no place in team as player let alone captaining the side,

 

[Deewana Mastana]

There's a possibility of losing another morning session as there's rain around.

It'll be raining throughout in patches and may stay overcast the whole day.

Let's see if that will aide the Pakistani bowlers and if the pitch plays up.

 

[Devadwal]

50+ runs partnership is coming up between Markram and bavuma .

 

[hoshiarpurexpress]

Come on.. this time for Africa.

 

[hoshiarpurexpress]

50+ runs partnership is coming up between Markram and bavuma .

Amen !!

 

[heddie19]

he has tried to hide his weaknesses through aggressive batting but it has not come off. He has no place in team as player let alone captaining the side,

I agree. A player who has played 35 tests and his age is 35 at an avg of 29 deserved to be axed from the team but alas! he is your captain

 

[kron]

Come on.. this time for Africa.

Pak 2 wickets away from a win. Maybe 3 max

But bavuma is in sublime format at home

 

[kron]

I agree. A player who has played 35 tests and his age is 35 at an avg of 29 deserved to be axed from the team but alas! he is your captain

I can't believe guys like shan is allowed to even play. Just cause he speaks really well. What a joke.

 

[Nasty Naz]

I agree. A player who has played 35 tests and his age is 35 at an avg of 29 deserved to be axed from the team but alas! he is your captain

He'll likely captain until the WI series and be replaced for the new WTC cycle. Given Rizwan's momentum, he seems set for Test captaincy too.

As for the match, my guess is if Pakistan are to win tomorrow, it will be because of Naseem pulling off some legendary spell to do it.

 

[heddie19]

He'll likely captain until the WI series and be replaced for the new WTC cycle. Given Rizwan's momentum, he seems set for Test captaincy too.

As for the match, my guess is if Pakistan are to win tomorrow, it will be because of Naseem pulling off some legendary spell to do it.

WI series is in 15 days. I really hope he gets replaced by Rizi. We can't just win by 1 bowler. Khurram and Abbas have already showed an intent too. Naseem needs to step up now.

 

[BouncerGuy]

The game is up there to be won. Pakistan just need to be thinking correct and not drop catches...

 

[hur rizvi]

SA will easily win it. These type of chases require only one partnership and I believe Naseem will come in and give some easy boundaries as well

 

[hur rizvi]

How many times have Pakistan defended less than 150?

I remember one time in UAE against england and maybe one time against NZ. Both on a much more venomous pitch with superior bowlers

 

[SpiritOf1903]

Need Markram early

 

[Mainul]

I just voted for a miraculous Pakistan win.

 

[Mainul]

Need Markram early

That is the key

 

[Mainul]

How many times have Pakistan defended less than 150?

I remember one time in UAE against england and maybe one time against NZ. Both on a much more venomous pitch with superior bowlers

Need to replace Naseem with Mir Hamza

 

[jamie smith]

is today an early start??

 

[jamie smith]

sa will win by 7 wickets i think

 

[Abdullah]

My only fear is dropped catches.

 

[Abdullah]

is today an early start??

That's what I was thinking because we lost a bit of time yesterday

 

[RidiculousMan]

If an early wicket doesn't come from spinners. Shan need to instantly bring in Saim and Salman for 2 overs from both ends

 

[RidiculousMan]

superior bowlers

Abbas has a chance to become one now

 

[followed]

Miracles don't happen that often. If Pakistan wins it will be no less than a miracle.

Markram and bavuma will win it for south africa.

 

[followed]

Abbas on balls projected to hit the stumps in Tests
Balls: 557
Wickets: 34
Avg: 6.17
SR: 16.3
Dot%: 81.8
I saw this interesting stat on cricbuzz. He got two wickets lbw yesterday as well.

He should do it more often as he can't get those edges due to his thunderbolt pace.

 

[Human786]

weather forecast ?

 

[PakPremi]

Why they not starting early to make up for lost overs?

 

[PakPremi]

After 10 overs of Khurum and Abbas, Pakistan should bowl a spinner in tandem with Abbas and then if Abbbass not successful, replace him with Naseem.

 

[PakPremi]

Abbas looking cool with shades in that interview and his English is also bearable.

 

[SpiritOf1903]

LETS GOOOO!

Need big fish early, bang, bang!

 

[BouncerGuy]

Easy runs coming

 

[SpiritOf1903]

It needs to be much better doesn't it!

Abbas to Markram is a rag to a dog

 

[adi_62941]

Khurram needs to target stumps. He is too predictable with his swing

 

[mango_bite77]

SA to win by 6 wickets

 

[m.shah]

SA just need one good partnership and it's game done

 

[BouncerGuy]

Overcast conditions... should benefit bowlers but so far it has been fairly easy for batters.

 

[m.shah]

Bowling needs to get tighter

 

[MMHS]

3am on a Saturday morning and I’m trying my best to keep eyes open - for those last few overs yesterday…. Such is the beauty of Test cricket.

Problem is, looks like I’ll not be sleeping till 2am tomorrow as well for that the MCG Test is cooking well.

PAH has to get SAF 6, at least 5 down by 25th over, for a realistic chance. 170 was probably minimum they needed…

 

[BouncerGuy]

I don't like this review... not a woody sound

 

[m.shah]

Review but I think it touched thigh

 

[BouncerGuy]

TOLD YA... PATHETIC REVIEW

 

[m.shah]

Such a waste of review

 

[m.shah]

Rizwan told him not to go but shan still went with review

 

[mango_bite77]

Naseem should bowl now, I would have started with him and Abbas

 

[PakPremi]

Rizwan been right so far with his judgement in this test, and was also good in ODI series

 

[Asad T]

with such a low total, they had to review

 

[PakPremi]

Rizwan told him not to go but shan still went with review

If I remember correctly did that in first inning too.

 

[SpiritOf1903]

Keeping it tight is vital. Draw the edge by frustrating them.

Maybe a few yorkers aimed at the stumps wouldn't go amiss either.

 

[BouncerGuy]

with such a low total, they had to review

It was never a woody sound..

 

[m.shah]

Khurram needs to get close to off stump. He also needs to develop in swinger as he is becoming too predictable

 

[PakPremi]

Naseem should bowl now, I would have started with him and Abbas

Naseem is less likely to land it in right areas.

 

[mominsaigol]

Sa will win, Makram will make sure of that

 

[Asad T]

It was never a woody sound..

yeah but you don't have much to lose when South Africa only need 111 to win
pak still have 2 reviews left

 

[DeadlyVenom]

Hope Pakistan can pull off something special today

 

[boomboomcheema]

Need wickets quick, Bavyma is dangerous in Tests.