South Africa defeat Pakistan by 6 wkts to win the 1st Test & take a 1-0 lead in the 3-match series

[MenInG]

South Africa defeat Pakistan by 6 wkts to win the 1st Test & take a 1-0 lead in the 3-match series

149 is the target for South Africa to take the 1st Test but is their a twist in this tale?

A historic win maybe and a time to redeem themselves - lots to play for here; Pakistan will have to come out all guns blazing, and bowlers like Amir/Hasan Ali will need to bowl with some venom

The weather could also play a role today but a result is more than likely today or by tomorrow.

 

[Sarwar89]

In the history of Test Cricket scores of less than 149 have been defended many many times.
It all depends on mindset, steel, willpower and determintation. This team is not united. Eazy 9 wicket win by Proteas.

 

[ILcricket]

Can be defended . Rain interruptions will keep the pacers fresh .

 

[PakPremi]

Good Morning all. I'm normally positive but I am afraid 149 is 70 runs too low. Hasan Ali has not been too good this match and management got it wrong by playing Yasir on this pitch. So we just relying on Amir who has lost pace and a rookie Shaheen to blast out experienced SA line with all their tailenders that can bat sensibly. Having said that few early break throughs and pressure can jolt them. Earlier poste wrote about dis- unity in the team. I have seen none, and team should be admired for bowling out SA for just 223 on their home turf with only three bowlers. Sarfraz captaincy days are most likely numbered now.

 

[Ozymandiasza]

Can't wait for the "choking" comments after EVERY wicket

 

[ali2220]

Can't wait for the "choking" comments after EVERY wicket

Pak choke more than SA in tests, though this might not even be a close contest.

 

[PakPremi]

I swear Rahane and Asad try to out do each other for being unreliable under pressure.

 

[Abdullah]

In the history of Test Cricket scores of less than 149 have been defended many many times.
It all depends on mindset, steel, willpower and determintation. This team is not united. Eazy 9 wicket win by Proteas.

Agreed, this can be done. Things can work out too,. Hopefully we only get an hour's play this morning before massive thunderstorms and we have them 35-3.
Then the belief will come

 

[Ramsay]

Can’t wait to witness the epic battle of CHOKERS!!! May the best one win!

 

[aukhan]

I swear Rahane and Asad try to out do each other for being unreliable under pressure.

Pressure or not. Asad is unreliable. His 1 performance per series is due so next innings could be his due innings.

 

[aukhan]

Battle of chockers.

 

[PakPremi]

Pressure or not. Asad is unreliable. His 1 performance per series is due so next innings could be his due innings.

Same can be said about Rahane

 

[ILcricket]

Update on cricbuzz : let's bring you the weather update from Centurion. Plenty of overnight showers but no rain as of now. Although, it's pretty cloudy as we expect some rain in the afternoon session.

 

[GLORY OF '92]

With the row overnight could quite possibly be a 9 or 10 wicket win. Markram will score quickly. 149 is defendable. But Yasir will get hammered.

 

[ILcricket]

not a 150 for 1 or 2 wicket Glory 92 .

 

[Invincible Gujjar]

South africa to win this easily.they are difficult to beat in these conditions

 

[Usman Chadda]

We are 25-30 runs short atleast. What could have been. Still pleasantly surprised by how this team has fought.

 

[SensiblePakFan]

Everyone going ro jummah better be pray for the heavens to open up.

 

[Arham_PakFan]

Early wickets will be key.

 

[Arham_PakFan]

Beautiful bowling by Amir first up.

 

[MenInG]

Oh what we could do with Abbas in these conditions

 

[letme alone]

stat with maiden

 

[Amirforpresident]

Oh what we could do with Abbas in these conditions

Any update on his injury? Will he play the second test

 

[Greenstorm]

Makram gone

 

[Arham_PakFan]

YES!

Hasan traps Markram in front for a duck.

 

[letme alone]

outyy

 

[ExpressPacer]

Markram is the future of South African batting who thrives on pressure, much like the likes of Kohli and Smith. Amazing to see him going early.

 

[Usman Chadda]

Hasan has Markram's number. Once again, the one that seams in, traps him infront

 

[BreadPakoda]

This is going to go down the wire.

 

[Sadozai]

Here comes the 1st wicket..

 

[Amjid Javed]

1 down, 9 to go.

Only if SA didnt have that 42 run lead after 1st innd.

 

[Nikhil_cric]

And 0/1 for SA. Pak gonna win by 70 runs here.

 

[Invincible Gujjar]

Shabba babbar shera. Jiyo.

 

[Square Drive]

LET'S GOOOOOO

 

[Amirforpresident]

Pls Hasan keep this up and dont leuk runs

 

[BreadPakoda]

I see a 10/3 happening and SA bottling it as usual.

 

[Amjid Javed]

Comn on hasan get a few more.

 

[emranabbas]

What channels are broadcasting it in UK

 

[Nikhil_cric]

Those complaining about marginal decisons going against PAK only can zip it now.

 

[Greenstorm]

And 0/1 for SA. Pak gonna win by 70 runs here.

Not happening bro. We are 40 runs short here.

 

[Rana]

Ideal start

 

[Rana]

Those complaining about marginal decisons going against PAK only can zip it now.

We get one and you think justice has been served?

 

[QalandarFan]

Good start here a couple more before they get to 50 and we'll be on top!

 

[Nikhil_cric]

We get one and you think justice has been served?

Yes. Marginal decisions are just that. Marginal. No point complaining about them.

 

[imshally81]

Beauty!!

 

[TeamPak95]

1 down! Good stuff Amir and Hasan

 

[Ami]

What channels are broadcasting it in UK

Sky Sports

 

[emranabbas]

Bhai UK meun kon channel broadcast Kar Raha hai

 

[Rana]

Smith is adding too much tension for the SA public and players who are listening to his commentary

 

[emranabbas]

Sky Sports

Thankz

 

[Arham_PakFan]

3 consecutive maidens.

 

[Faisalabadimunda]

Need to get them 4 down in no time. Rattle their top order.

 

[Hadi Rizvi]

Smith is adding too much tension for the SA public and players who are listening to his commentary

Don't worry. Ntini's got the fun side of it covered.

 

[Faisalabadimunda]

Keep the pressure up with maidens. Dots will bring wkts

 

[Nikhil_cric]

Amla is a walking wicket these days. Should just make way for Zubayr.

 

[Faisalabadimunda]

Key wkt here is amla cant let his settle down...

 

[Hadi Rizvi]

Hasan yaar zero freebies please

 

[Rana]

Pakistan are very vocal in the field right now!

 

[ExpressPacer]

Shaba boys, no worries. Hasan getting movement.

 

[Ozymandiasza]

Amla is a walking wicket these days. Should just make way for Zubayr.

It's quite sad to see. I prefer them retiring while still in decent form. Kallis, Smith and AB had the right idea. AB was a bit early, but it's his choice.

 

[ManFan]

Hasan yaar zero freebies please

It hit a crack.

 

[Rana]

Typical Hassan Ali

I so hope this guy doesnt go down the same path as Mohammad Sami

 

[Faisalabadimunda]

4 free runs which we cant give... need to make every run hard

 

[ExpressPacer]

Amla bringing his experience for 120+ tests into the game. This is why experience is so dangerous. No fishing outside the off stump and leaving so brilliantly. No matter how out of form you are, you can still leave brilliantly and eventually the ball will start coming onto the bat better.

 

[Arham_PakFan]

Typical Hassan Ali

I so hope this guy doesnt go down the same path as Mohammad Sami

What? It hit a crack and deviated.

 

[ExpressPacer]

It's quite sad to see. I prefer them retiring while still in decent form. Kallis, Smith and AB had the right idea. AB was a bit early, but it's his choice.

Even Smith was quite early.

 

[Chief Destroyer]

Nice swing from Hasan.

 

[Faisalabadimunda]

Now is the time wer the ball will do nost so we need another couple in next 5 overs . Cant let these guys settle

 

[KhanPredator]

Lol they have code names going as well

 

[Arham_PakFan]

Wow, Amir hitting the right length.

 

[Faisalabadimunda]

Saffer playing it patiently knowing that the runs will come and all they hav to do it be patienr and not lose wkts

 

[ExpressPacer]

Pommie has got such a posh accent. Nice to listen to.

 

[Rana]

Very scary pitch this, 149 will feel like 249 here

 

[ExpressPacer]

Saffer playing it patiently knowing that the runs will come and all they hav to do it be patienr and not lose wkts

What do you expect? Both these guys have played a lot cricket.

 

[ManFan]

SA building pressure.

 

[Rana]

The pressure is on guys

 

[Mahee]

looks like SA already started choking

 

[Hadi Rizvi]

The cracks are mad.

Suddenly Yasir doesn't seem like a bad option after 15-20 overs.

 

[KhanPredator]

Fakhar letting everyone know they are going to fight for every run.

 

[Faisalabadimunda]

Pitch is suddenly doing loads. Wat pak need. Now just need amur an hassan to keep at ut and hopefully rattle them