South Africa vs Pakistan | 1st Test | Centurion | Dec 26-30 | Match Discussion

[FearlessRoar]

With the ODI series whitewash against South Africa, Pakistan heads into the Test series with confidence. However playing in bouncy and seaming conditions will be a tough challenge for the team. Morale is high and they are eager to test the South African side on their home ground.

On the other hand after being whitewashed in the ODI series, South Africa will look to end the tour on a high note. They will rely on their formidable pace attack to challenge Pakistan. This series holds significant importance for their World Test Championship qualification and they will be determined to deliver their best performance.

Babar Azam makes his return to the Test side as Pakistan reveal their playing XI for the first Test against South Africa

The visitors have dropped Abdullah Shafique as Mohammad Abbas prepares to make his return after three years with the team focused on securing a Boxing Day Test win to kick off the series strongly.

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[RidiculousMan]

Let's hope Pakistani batting holds up to the challenge

 

[The Bald Eagle]

Will miss Sajid Done. No Sajid, no excitement

Let's hope Pakistani batting holds up to the challenge

 

[gazza619]

Will be interesting to see how Abbass perform. XI looks decent on paper.

 

[gazza619]

Will miss Sajid Done. No Sajid, no excitement

Don will be leashed against WI at home.

 

[RedwoodOriginal]

This is the best eleven they could have selected.

 

[Aqib_mustafa]

This is the best eleven they could have selected.

Bro what do you make of pak test team odi team is looking great how do you see test team shaping up looks like a good team with jamal adding balance with bat and ball and how pak won that memorable england series where they made a stunning comeback?

 

[RedwoodOriginal]

Bro what do you make of pak test team odi team is looking great how do you see test team shaping up looks like a good team with jamal adding balance with bat and ball and how pak won that memorable england series where they made a stunning comeback?

If they field well they can win a test match.

 

[Kianig89]

A pace quartet we are carrying, hopefully they will deliver the goods, batting looks strong with Agha @7. Let's see if the batters can hold on

 

[jamie smith]

I have hopes from only saim.agha and riz in battibg department

 

[jamie smith]

selecting abbas is a bad decision,instead of abbas i would even have nauman in my 11,the last time pak toured sa abbas was taken to cleaners

 

[Nasty Naz]

Hoping to see a big score from Babar in this match. Last time he toured SA, that was when he truly found his footing in Test and its been a few years since we've seen a great knock from him in Tests. His poor form in Australia cost the team from winning a match and if he wants some legacy defining moments in his Test career, this has to start changing.

Team didn't have a single score of 300+ in any innings last SA tour and I think batters got to find a way to show up if Pakistan are to have any chance in the series.

 

[ElRaja]

not sure exactly how the batting order will play out, but i think its a decent xi. babar at three makes sense too, i hope they actually stick to this order and dont send kamran or saud at three if a wicket falls early to protect bobzy the king.

 

[RidiculousMan]

not sure exactly how the batting order will play out, but i think its a decent xi. babar at three makes sense too, i hope they actually stick to this order and dont send kamran or saud at three if a wicket falls early to protect bobzy the king.

Bobzy got the best chance of survival in case the wicket is tacky and an early wicket falls. If Bobzy gets out as well then well hard luck - surface is tough.

 

[Xoib]

I am quite homing this will be Naseem breakthrough series he has threatened to delver without ever taking centrstage high time he has a great series

 

[followed]

Lol Abbas came from wilderness to bowl those thunderbolts.

Apart from Abbas this playing11 is best on paper.

 

[moghul]

One of ABBAs and Shehzad should have played, both are similar kind of bowler 125-128 km/h RAMF, Mir Hamza , being a left armer should have been in 11.

 

[PakPremi]

Probably strongest batting Pakistan has fielded for a long while, atleast on paper. Let us see how they play on this pitch. I would had gone for Hamza instead of Abbas as he is a bit quicker and has better bounce in his bowling. Both are pretty accurate bowlers but Abbas looked finished last few matches he played for Pakistan.

 

[gazza619]

Nice to see a Pakistan test match starting on a holiday. Timing is also not bad if you are based in UK, Pakistan or Australia

 

[gazza619]

A pace quartet we are carrying, hopefully they will deliver the goods, batting looks strong with Agha @7. Let's see if the batters can hold on

It is one of those rare moments as a Pakistan fan where you are feeling reasonably confident ahead of test match in SENA.

 

[Corridor of Uncertainty]

I am never in agreement with leaving specialist spinners out. A test is played over 5 days. There will be many moments when pacers are ineffective. Agha Salman is not a frontline spinner. He may take wickets sometimes, but cannot replace the xW of someone who have spin as their primary trade. I'd leave Abbas out and put in Sajid or Noman.

 

[Cricket Warrior]

Pakistan's Test victories in South Africa:

1998 - Won by 29 runs
2007 - Won by 5 wickets

Since 2007, Pakistan have not won a single Test match in South Africa. Will Shan Masood and his Men create history in this Test series?

 

[asarkar]

A massive series for Babar Azam. With the pressure of being the best no longer looming over him, he has the opportunity to approach this series with lesser expectations, allowing him to focus on his game and potentially rejuvenate his Test cricket career in SENA.

 

[Savak]

Lack of pace in the Pakistani bowling line up. Abbas with his medium pace spin is not going to do much.

 

[heddie19]

Hoping for two crackers tomorrow. The other one at MCG. Any pictures of the pitch at centurion?

 

[Abid Z]

I am never in agreement with leaving specialist spinners out. A test is played over 5 days. There will be many moments when pacers are ineffective. Agha Salman is not a frontline spinner. He may take wickets sometimes, but cannot replace the xW of someone who have spin as their primary trade. I'd leave Abbas out and put in Sajid or Noman.

You are absolutely correct if matches get to day 5 in SAF. Some of the matches against India and SL ended by day 3/4. But yes I would have liked either or both our spinners too.

 

[GoUgandaCranes]

With the ODI series whitewash against South Africa, Pakistan heads into the Test series with confidence. However playing in bouncy and seaming conditions will be a tough challenge for the team. Morale is high and they are eager to test the South African side on their home ground.

On the other hand after being whitewashed in the ODI series, South Africa will look to end the tour on a high note. They will rely on their formidable pace attack to challenge Pakistan. This series holds significant importance for their World Test Championship qualification and they will be determined to deliver their best performance.

Babar Azam makes his return to the Test side as Pakistan reveal their playing XI for the first Test against South Africa

The visitors have dropped Abdullah Shafique as Mohammad Abbas prepares to make his return after three years with the team focused on securing a Boxing Day Test win to kick off the series strongly.

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

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.

This is an extremely bold team selection so credit where credit is due.

A part of me still wishes that they'd keep Shaheen around instead of releasing him to play BPL which as a decision makes no sense. He is tall & you do need a tall bowler in Southern hemisphere so that's a major miss. If he's not going to play here, he probably should just announce his retirement from red ball cricket (I feel he already has made up his mind but isn't announcing it).

 

[FearlessRoar]

Frst and foremost, Pakistan's pace attack is a major concern. With only one pacer Naseem Shah capable of clocking 140+ kph.

Furthermore, while day three or four may offer an opportunity to utilize spinners on a worn surface but Pakistan's lineup is devoid of a single specialist spinner. Wondering why we missed to add Sajid Khan in the Test squad or Noman Ali in playing XI.

 

[Cricket Warrior]

Lack of pace in the Pakistani bowling line up. Abbas with his medium pace spin is not going to do much.

If he gets a bit of bounce and seam from the surface so he can become deadly even with 130 km/h deliveries.

 

[Prince of Pakistan]

Very unfair to Mir Hamza. Keeps getting dropped despite doing well. Also not sure about Jamal being the 4th specialist bowler considering his fitness issues. He will have to bowl many overs now.

How has Abbas been doing in domestic cricket? Don't think he plays that much Pakistani FC.

 

[mon858]

Saud Shakeel showing batting below rizwan doesn't make sense.
Really missing one express pacer like the days of Waqar, Shoaib, Sami, Zahid, etc. If pcb hadn't messed up Ihsanullah this could have been a breakthrough series for him.

 

[Deewana Mastana]

It's going to be most probably rain for 2 out of 5 days of this test.

 

[boomboomcheema]

Weather looks ok for the first two days while a week ago there were prediction for heavy rains.

 

[Deewana Mastana]

Weather looks ok for the first two days while a week ago there were prediction for heavy rains.

First 3 days most likely will be OK it's the last 2 days that can be rained off.

 

[BouncerGuy]

I think this was the best possible playing 11 Pakistan can field today.

Although I would have likes Noman in the 11 but jamal is a good option as well and the pitch will be supporting pacers more so we just need to cash in on that pitch.

 

[Marooned]

If he gets a bit of bounce and seam from the surface so he can become deadly even with 130 km/h deliveries.

And how would he bowl 130k?

His effort ball is 128k

 

[Marooned]

Btw Saud should bat higher up than Ghulam.

Saud at 3/4 Ghulam at 5.

 

[BouncerGuy]

Temba Bavuma spekaing ahead of the 1st Test match agianst Pakistan:

“There’ll be pressure that comes with that. But to be honest with you, we’re coming into the series to win the series 2-0. We understand that for us to do that, there’s certain things that we need to do as a team: keep things simple, keep doing the small things right, and allow the results to take care of itself.”

"Whether it’s easy, whether it’s hard, we’ve got to find a way to do it. Whatever, I don’t know, trauma that was there ... guys will have to deal with it.”

 

[Da_Future_Knick]

Any updates on the weather?

 

[shah_1]

Muhammed abbass selection is a joke

Mir Hamza is a much better bowler

 

[Aqib_mustafa]

Muhammed abbass selection is a joke

Mir Hamza is a much better bowler

Ya you guys will never be happy muhammed abbas is a great selection thank god management has work and studied on him

 

[RedwoodOriginal]

Abbas is the only one with decent FC experience in the squad. He's the best selection in the absence of Shaheen.

 

[Human786]

Weather forecast seems to improved a bit & we could get 70+ overs today . For the match 330 overs perhaps !

 

[LordJames]

Surprisingly good 11 considering all the resources at Pakistan's disposal. It will be interesting if they play to their potential.

Abbas deserves a go based on his performance of the last few years and Phillander has proven that you can be successful without express pace

 

[RidiculousMan]

Surprisingly good 11 considering all the resources at Pakistan's disposal. It will be interesting if they play to their potential.

Abbas deserves a go based on his performance of the last few years and Phillander has proven that you can be successful without express pace

South Africa and England are the only places where Abbas potentially can cause damage. We will know in this Test match where he stands as a bowler

 

[Farabi]

Abbas is the only one with decent FC experience in the squad. He's the best selection in the absence of Shaheen.

That’s not true. Mir Hamza has tons of experience too

 

[RedwoodOriginal]

That’s not true. Mir Hamza has tons of experience too

As much as Abbas? Abbas has been playing county and QeA Trophy cricket regularly in the psst few years

 

[Farabi]

As much as Abbas? Abbas has been playing county and QeA Trophy cricket regularly in the psst few years

You said “Abbas is the only one with decent FC experience”. Mir Hamza has 450 First class wickets, that’s pretty decent isn’t it? Even Khurram Shahzad has 175 FC wickets which is “decent” too.

I am supportive of Abbas selection, I was just clarifying that he’s not the only one with “decent FC experience in this squad”.

 

[Human786]

overcast Centurion , win toss & bowl day ..

 

[RidiculousMan]

overcast Centurion , win toss & bowl day ..View attachment 148937

It's a tricky one. Rain is expected on Day 3, 4 and 5. So Day 1 might be the best pitch to bat on.

 

[Nikhil_cric]

It's a tricky one. But I think Saffers should back themselves to bat first and score 300

 

[RedwoodOriginal]

You said “Abbas is the only one with decent FC experience”. Mir Hamza has 450 First class wickets, that’s pretty decent isn’t it? Even Khurram Shahzad has 175 FC wickets which is “decent” too.

I am supportive of Abbas selection, I was just clarifying that he’s not the only one with “decent FC experience in this squad”.

Thanks for reminding me what I wrote. I definitely could not scroll and just see that myself. I meant to say that he is the only one in the squad who has been playing alot of FC cricket consistently in recent times.

 

[jamie smith]

team winning the toss should look to bowl first and make the favourable conditions count

 

[jamie smith]

Thanks for reminding me what I wrote. I definitely could not scroll and just see that myself. I meant to say that he is the only one in the squad who has been playing alot of FC cricket consistently in recent times.

we will get to know today which bowler is good and who isnot good,as far as i remember abbas was taken to cleaners last time when pak toured sa

 

[jamie smith]

It's a tricky one. But I think Saffers should back themselves to bat first and score 300

scoring 300 is not easy,about 230-240 may be par

 

[Ahmed216]

Batting first always a big advantage in Centurion

 

[jattafridi]

Can Pakistan score 200

 

[SpiritOf1903]

I'll take Pakistan reaching 100 tbh. Anytime after that is a bonus.

Lets go!

 

[mango_bite77]

Pak to bundle out under 50

 

[jamie smith]

sa opt to field

 

[BouncerGuy]

Toss Update:

South Africa won the toss and decided to bowl

 

[Nikhil_cric]

Wow. SA are confident of blasting PAK out under 250 with makeshift seamers like Bosch and Paterson?

That's a very bold call to be honest.

 

[RidiculousMan]

Arguably the toughest session in this series for Pakistan is about to begin.

 

[RedwoodOriginal]

we will get to know today which bowler is good and who isnot good,as far as i remember abbas was taken to cleaners last time when pak toured sa

You mean 6 years ago when he was returning to the side after a knee injury? What bearing does that have on this?

 

[ikky47]

Wow. SA are confident of blasting PAK out under 250 with makeshift seamers like Bosch and Paterson?

That's a very bold call to be honest.

Can easily be Pakistan all out for 110-120

 

[SpiritOf1903]

Wow. SA are confident of blasting PAK out under 250 with makeshift seamers like Bosch and Paterson.

That's a very bold call to be honest.

Given they bowled Sri Lanka out for 46(?), they've got the world's best attack.

It's gruesome! Jansen alone is a nightmare.

If Pakistan reach 100 they're in the game, 200 would be incredible.

Bosch looks seriously dangerous, Rabada ATG. Damn

 

[Farabi]

Wow. SA are confident of blasting PAK out under 250 with makeshift seamers like Bosch and Paterson?

That's a very bold call to be honest.

Pakistan is a team that is known to make superstars in South Africa. Roger Telemachus, Andre Nel, Kyle Abbot over the years, and most recently Olivier became unplayable.

 

[Nikhil_cric]

Can easily be Pakistan all out for 110-120

Given they bowled Sri Lanka out for 46(?), they've got the world's best attack.

It's gruesome! Jansen alone is a nightmare.

If Pakistan reach 100 they're in the game, 200 would be incredible.

Bosch looks seriously dangerous

Bosch averages 36 with the ball in domestic . Paterson was bowling 120-125 kph vs Lanka.

Pakistan scored 181 last time they batted first at Centurion. Think they can score 275 and then pressure is on SA

 

[jattafridi]

I think pak 154

South Africa 327

Pak 90

 

[Nikhil_cric]

Pakistan is a team that is known to make superstars in South Africa. Roger Telemachus, Andre Nel, Kyle Abbot over the years, and most recently Olivier became unplayable.

Olivier was bowling short of a length at close to 147 kph. Averages 24 in domestic.

Abbott was a quality bowler too . A taller, quicker Philander who lost out due to transformation targets.

I'm not sure about Bosch and Paterson.

 

[Devadwal]

Wow. SA are confident of blasting PAK out under 250 with makeshift seamers like Bosch and Paterson?

That's a very bold call to be honest.

Where are burger and coetzee ?

 

[Nikhil_cric]

Where are burger and coetzee ?

Burger, Coetzee,, Lungi all injured

 

[MMHS]

Looks like a 3 day Test wicket!!! I think, SAF has the right XI for this track - loaded the playing XI with 7 batsmen & 2 all-rounders, 3 actually considering Jansen will bat at 10; in fact Rabada must be among the best ever no. 11s.

This is exactly similar tactics of playing two specialist spinners, couple of spin all-rounders and a pacer who can bat on rank tueners - this one is for green track. No way any modern team is going to bat more than 170 overs in combined innings on this track - so, SAF has taken a chance of 100 overs by Jansen/Rabada & rest shared by others while batting depth will add valuable runs in bottom half of the innings.

And, they have won the toss, perfectly completing the tactics. PAK probably has no other options but this XI and they also have taken 3 bowlers who can bat. Batting first might not be worst for PAK either - don’t think bowling first PAK could have restricted this SAF lineup below 300…. and there goes the Test. Now, for a realistic chance, PAK needs to set a 4th innings target of at least 170.

 

[BouncerGuy]

Good toss to win for Saffers... they would want to bowl Pakistan out today.

 

[Hellion]

Looks like a 3 day Test wicket!!! I think, SAF has the right XI for this track - loaded the playing XI with 7 batsmen & 2 all-rounders, 3 actually considering Jansen will bat at 10; in fact Rabada must be among the best ever no. 11s.

This is exactly similar tactics of playing two specialist spinners, couple of spin all-rounders and a pacer who can bat on rank tueners - this one is for green track. No way any modern team is going to bat more than 170 overs in combined innings on this track - so, SAF has taken a chance of 100 overs by Jansen/Rabada & rest shared by others while batting depth will add valuable runs in bottom half of the innings.

And, they have won the toss, perfectly completing the tactics. PAK probably has no other options but this XI and they also have taken 3 bowlers who can bat. Batting first might not be worst for PAK either - don’t think bowling first PAK could have restricted this SAF lineup below 300…. and there goes the Test. Now, for a realistic chance, PAK needs to set a 4th innings target of at least 170.

Jansen will bat at #9 most likely, ahead of Paterson and Rabada but behind Bosch , who averages 59 with the bat at Centurion in domestic cricket.

With Saffers having such a deep batting lineup, PAK need to give target around 250 in 4th innings imo.

 

[SpiritOf1903]

Bosch averages 36 with the ball in domestic . Paterson was bowling 120-125 kph vs Lanka.

Pakistan scored 181 last time they batted first at Centurion. Think they can score 275 and then pressure is on SA

Bosch is quick. He's selected for that reason. Averages don't mean too much

 

[Nikhil_cric]

Rabada is key against this opening duo. Jansen averages 33 against LHB in Test cricket. Rabada averages a shade under 18.

 

[Ahmed216]

Let's see what Saim does today

 

[RedwoodOriginal]

Olivier was bowling short of a length at close to 147 kph. Averages 24 in domestic.

Abbott was a quality bowler too . A taller, quicker Philander who lost out due to transformation targets.

I'm not sure about Bosch and Paterson.

Pakistan has a history of making heroes out of debutants. CdG and Kyle Abbott are a couple of names that come to mind. Corbin Bosch is not half bad. He can bat too. No idea how a bowler like Paterson is playing test cricket for South Africa though.

 

[RedwoodOriginal]

Don't have much hope from Shan on this pitch against this new ball duo