South Africa edge past spirited Pakistan to claim a thrilling victory

CENTURION: Pakistan pacer Mohammad Abbas’ heroics went in vain as South Africa held on to their nerves to claim a thrilling two-wicket victory on the fourth day of the Boxing Day Test here on Sunday.

Kagiso Rabada (31*) and Marco Jansen (16*) steered South Africa to victory with a gutsy 51-run stand after Abbas’ fiery spell.

Abbas, who was playing an international match after three years, returned with bowling figures of 6-54, while Khurram Shahzad and Naseem Shah bagged one wicket each.

South Africa were in a precarious position at Lunch with the scoreboard reading 116-8, needing 32 runs to win. Kagiso Rabada (10*) and Marco Jansen (58) were on the crease.

The home side started the day on 27-3 while chasing a modest 148, however, they could add 35 more runs before Abbas broke halted their momentum.

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Abbas castled Aiden Markram, who played a patient knock of 27 runs from 63 deliveries with the help of six boundaries.

The veteran pacer then removed the South African captain Temba Bavuma to instigate a dramatic collapse. Bavuma returned after a cautious 40-run knock, which featured four fours and a six.

Naseem Shah dismissed wicketkeeper batter Kyle Verreynne (2) in the next over before Abbas took two back-to back wickets to leave South Africa at 99/8.

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Marco Jansen and Kagiso Rabada then joined hands and forged a crucial 17-run partnership, ensuring no further damage until Lunch.

Pakistan Playing XI: Shan Masood (c), Saim Ayub, Babar Azam, Kamran Ghulam, Mohammad Rizwan (wk), Saud Shakeel, Salman Ali Agha, Aamir Jamal, Naseem Shah, Khurram Shahzad and Mohammad Abbas.

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

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