South Africa creep past Pakistan after dramatic collapse to reach WTC final | Cricket

Fast bowlers Kagiso Rabada and Marco Jansen became batting heroes as South Africa beat Pakistan by two wickets to win a thrilling first Test in Centurion and book a place in next year’s World Test Championship final.

Rabada scored 31 and Jansen 16 in an unbeaten partnership of 51 off 50 balls to see South Africa over the line and deny Pakistan a dramatic comeback win after Mohammed Abbas took six wickets as he tore through the home order.

The Test had a finish more like a 20-match as the tailenders delivered success after South Africa had fallen dramatically before lunch and seen Pakistan on the brink of success, before Rabada, who is ranked world no. 2 Test bowler, emerged as an unlikely batting hero while Jansen delivered the winning runs with a classy drive to the boundary.

Abbas had brought Pakistan close when he took four wickets in a marathon spell of 13 consecutive overs before lunch as South Africa worked hard to chase down a modest target of 148. Abbas, whose total was six for 54 off 19.3 overs, produced a dramatic collapse after South Africa looked set for a comfortable victory with 50 runs needed and six wickets in hand.

His moves included the lucky dismissal of Temba Bavuma for 40. The South African captain walked after believing he had edged the ball behind to the wicketkeeper, but he will ruing his decision not to review after TV replays showed the ball had not touched his bat but rather Bavuma’s pocket on the way through. Abbas also bowled Aiden Markram and had David Bedingham and Corbin Bosch caught behind – Bosch walking first ball to see South Africa slump from 96 for four to 99 for eight.

“I am extremely proud of our effort, but going forward as a team we have to be more ruthless. We have to seize the moments that Test cricket gives,” said Pakistan captain Shan Masood.

South Africa, who host Pakistan in the second Test at Newlands next Friday, have now won six successive Tests, starting with success against the West Indies in August and following that with two-Test series wins in Bangladesh and then home to Sri Lanka last month.

“Quite emotional and a good advertisement for Test cricket”, said Bavuma. “A lot of joy and happiness for us, but a bit of a roller coaster ride. We did it the hard way, but we’re happy to get the result.”

They moved to the top of the WTC standings after beating Sri Lanka in Gqeberha, but needed another Test win in the series against Pakistan to secure a place in the finals from 11-15. June at Lord’s.