SA vs PAK 2024/25, South Africa vs Pakistan 1st Test, Day 1, Centurion Match Report, 26 – 30 December 2024

On By Littum

Throw South Africa selected to bowl vs Pakistan

South Africa have won the toss and elected to bowl first in Centurion. Under sunny skies but with gray clouds hovering on the edge, Temba Bavuma chose to field Pakistan. Batting first here on their last tour, Pakistan were bowled out for 181 on the first day. Shan Masood, who was part of that side, headlines this one and said he felt it was a surface you could get value for your shots on.
South Africa announced their line-up two days after the Test and go full speed – Corbin Bosch makes his debut, with Marco Jansen, Kagiso Rabada and Dane Paterson rounding out the attack.

Pakistan also play an all-pace attack as Mohammad Abbas returns after three years away from the Test team, Khurram Shahzad returns from a rib injury and Naseem Shah and Aamer Jamal complete the attack. With Abdullah Shafique dropped from the side, Shan Masood will open with Saim Ayub.

South Africa: Aiden Markram, Tony de Zorzi, Ryan Rickelton, Tristan Stubbs, Temba Bavuma (capt), David Bedingham, Kyle Verreynne (wk), Marco Jansen, Corbin Bosch, Kagiso Rabada, Dane Paterson

Pakistan: Shan Masood (capt), Saim Ayub, Babar Azam, Kamran Ghulam, Mohammad Rizwan (wk), Saud Shakeel, Salman Agha, Aamer Jamal, Naseem Shah, Khurram Shahzad, Mohammad Abbas