Rabada, Jansen heroics power South Africa to thrilling 2 wkt test win over Pakistan to qualify for WTC final 2025

 


Fast bowlers Kagiso Rabada and Marco Jansen stunned with the bat on Sunday, guiding South Africa to a dramatic two-wicket victory over Pakistan in the first Test at Centurion. The win secured South Africa a spot in next year’s ICC World Test Championship final.


Rabada, known more for his exploits with the ball, scored an impressive 31, while Jansen added a crucial 16 in an unbroken 51-run partnership off just 50 deliveries. Their heroics snatched victory from the jaws of defeat after Pakistan's Mohammed Abbas dismantled South Africa’s batting lineup with a six-wicket haul.


The match reached a nail-biting climax reminiscent of a T20 finish, as South Africa’s lower order defied the odds to overhaul the modest target of 148. Rabada, currently the second-ranked Test bowler in the world, played an unlikely role as a batting savior, while Jansen sealed the win with an elegant boundary drive.


Abbas, returning to Pakistan’s Test side after a three-year absence, nearly inspired a stunning comeback. His relentless 13-over spell before lunch yielded four wickets, leaving South Africa reeling. He finished with remarkable figures of 6-54 from 19.3 overs, orchestrating a dramatic collapse that saw South Africa lose four wickets for just three runs, sliding from 96-4 to 99-8.


Among Abbas’s scalps was South African captain Temba Bavuma, who departed for 40 after mistakenly walking off, believing he had edged the ball behind. Replays later revealed the ball had only brushed his pocket, not his bat, a moment Bavuma will regret not reviewing. Abbas also removed Aiden Markram with a stunning delivery and claimed David Bedingham and Corbin Bosch, the latter dismissed for a first-ball duck.


Despite the chaos, Rabada and Jansen stood firm under immense pressure, delivering a memorable victory for South Africa. The triumph extends their winning streak to six consecutive Tests, following series victories against the West Indies, Bangladesh, and Sri Lanka.


With this win, South Africa cements its position at the top of the World Test Championship standings. They will face Pakistan in the second Test at Newlands next Friday, aiming to close the series on a high ahead of the championship final at Lord’s, scheduled for June 11-15.


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