South Africa vs Pakistan 1st Test: The first match of the two-match series is being played between South Africa and Pakistan at the SuperSport Park in Centurion. On the third day of the Boxing Day Test, Pakistan’s second innings was reduced to 237 runs and this gave South Africa a target of 148 runs to win. However, Pakistani bowlers performed brilliantly after this and sent three African batsmen to the pavilion for just 19 runs. Stumps were declared early due to rain on the third day. Till stumps, Africa had scored 27 runs at the loss of 3 wickets. Aiden Markram is currently present at the crease and he has scored 22 runs. It will be interesting to see who wins the match on the fourth day because the African team needs 121 runs to win while Pakistan needs 7 wickets. Let us tell you, the result of this match will have a direct impact on India. (Scorecard)
If the South African team wins this test, then qualifying for the final of the World Test Championship will remain a mere formality. In such a situation, the Indian team, which has only one match left, will be directly affected. Actually, India will have to win the Border-Gavaskar Trophy series 3-1 to reach the final of the World Test Championship. But if this does not happen then his chances of reaching there will depend on the results of other teams.
If South Africa loses, India will directly benefit from it and Australia and India will be two important contenders to reach the final. India, Australia and South Africa are in the race for the final of the World Test Championship.
The fourth match of the five-match series is being played between India and Australia at the Melbourne Cricket Ground. Till stumps on the third day, the Indian team was successful in making a comeback on the basis of Nitish Kumar Reddy’s century, but Team India is still 116 runs behind. If the Indian team loses this test or it is a draw then Team India may be in trouble. In such a situation, South Africa’s defeat will act as a saving grace for it.
How will South Africa reach the World Test final?
South Africa currently has 63.33 win percentage. Before the Boxing-Day Test, South Africa had to win one of their two Tests against Pakistan to qualify for the final. If South Africa lose this series 0-1 and get only four points from this series then their win percentage will be 55.56.
In such a situation, Australia and India will have a chance to exceed this win percentage. In such a situation, India will need a draw and a win in Australia, while Australia will have to do the same in Sri Lanka. But if no team is able to do this, then 55.56 percent marks can be enough for South Africa.
If South Africa loses both Tests against Pakistan, they will drop to 52.78. In such a situation, at least one team either India or Australia will definitely cross that mark in their remaining matches. But if India gets only four points from its last two Tests and Sri Lanka does not win against Australia in the home series, then Australia and South Africa can also qualify.
On the other hand, if India wins and draws its two Tests, and Sri Lanka wins 1-0, then India and South Africa will qualify. But if South Africa wins both its tests or even one test, then it will be almost certain that it will reach the final.
If we talk about the match, South Africa won the toss and decided to bowl first. After this the Pakistani team was all out for just 211 runs in the first innings. Kamran Ghulam had scored 54 runs for Pakistan in the first innings. In response, the South African team scored 301 runs in the first innings and took a lead of 90 runs over Pakistan.
Aiden Markram and debutant Corbin Boch played half-centuries in the first innings for South Africa. In response, Pakistan scored 237 runs in the second innings. Pakistan was looking strong in the second innings and at one time had lost only three wickets on the score of 152, but after that the rest of the batsmen flopped and the entire team was out on 237. In such a situation, South Africa got the target of 148 runs to win.
