Abbas, Shahzad keep Pakistan’s hopes alive

Pakistan vs South Africa, 1st Test, Day 3 Report

Centurion: Pakistan struck thrice late on Day 3 to leave the first Test in the balance heading into Day 4 at SuperSport Park. Mohammad Abbas and Khurram Shahzad were the stars, getting the red cherry to beat the bat on numerous occasions before prizing out all three key wickets in the same manner – LBW. The hosts are currently 27 for 3 at Stumps and require a further 121 runs with seven wickets in hand to clinch a berth in the World Test Championship Final at Lord's in June.

Earlier, Marco Jansen picked up a six-wicket haul (6-52) to commence a Pakistan collapse from 153 for 3 to 237 all-out. Saud Shakeel top-scored with 84 and Babar Azam chipped in with 50 himself, his first half-century since 2023.

South Africa ended Pakistan's resistance fairly quickly after the Tea break, within eight overs to be precise. However, Shakeel added some quick runs to the visitors total with three fours and a six as he farmed the strike from Shahzad. But he missed a full toss from Jansen which rendered him plumb in front of the stumps. Corbin Bosch plucked the last wicket of Abbas as the debutant ended with five wickets in the match leaving the hosts a target of 148 to chase.