Centurion, December 25, 2024 – The Europe Today: In the first Test match against South Africa at Centurion, the Pakistan cricket team was bowled out for 211 runs in their first innings. Kamran Ghulam emerged as the top scorer, contributing 54 runs.
After winning the toss, South Africa opted to bowl first and capitalized on favorable conditions, preventing the Pakistani batters from putting up a substantial total.
Pakistan’s innings began with openers Shan Masood and Saim Ayub. The first breakthrough for South Africa came at the score of 36 in 14.1 overs, when Shan Masood was dismissed for 17 runs. Shortly after, Saim Ayub fell for 14 runs, reducing Pakistan to 40/2.
The trouble deepened for Pakistan as skipper Babar Azam managed only 4 runs before being dismissed, leaving the team reeling at 41/3. Saud Shakeel offered little resistance and was out for 14 runs with the score at 56.
The only significant partnership of the innings came from Kamran Ghulam and Mohammad Rizwan, who added 81 runs for the fifth wicket. Kamran played a gritty knock of 54 runs, but his dismissal at 137 triggered another collapse. Rizwan departed shortly after, scoring 27 runs.
Lower-order batters Salman Ali Agha and Aamer Jamal showed resilience, stitching together a 47-run stand off 53 balls for the seventh wicket. Aamer scored 28 runs, while Salman contributed 18 runs before both were dismissed in quick succession.
The tailenders, Khurram Shehzad and Mohammad Abbas, added a crucial 22-run partnership to push the total past 200. Khurram was the last batter dismissed for 11 runs, while Abbas remained unbeaten on 10.
For South Africa, Dane Paterson was the standout bowler, claiming five wickets. Corbin Bosch picked up four, while Marco Jansen chipped in with one wicket.
