CENTURIAN: Aiden Markram remained unbeaten on 47 as South Africa closed the opening day of the Boxing Day Test against Pakistan with the scoreboard reading 82-3 here on Thursday.
Markram came out to open the innings with Tony de Zorzi, who managed to score a meagre two runs before falling to Khurram Shahzad. The right-arm pacer removed Ryan Rickelton (8) soon afterwards to leave South Africa reeling on 24-2.
Tristan Stubbs (9) joined Markram and helped stabilize the innings with a 42-run stand, which was dominated by the latter.
However, Abbas removed Stubbs to bring South African captain Temba Bavuma to the crease. Bavuma scored 4 runs from 23 balls to support Markram as they helped close out the day without further damage.
Earlier, Pakistan had a horrible start to their innings as they ended the first session with 88 runs on the board at the loss of four wickets.
Pakistan were asked to bat first and the opening pair stitched a 36-run partnership before South Africa pacers wreaked havoc.
Shan Masood (17) and Saim Ayub (14) fell in quick succession before Babar Azam came out to bat dismissed after adding a mere four runs to the total.
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Saud Shakeel struck three boundaries on his way to 14 off 6 before he was dismissed by debutant Corbin Bosch, leaving Pakistan reeling at 56-4.
Kamran Ghulam (23*) and Mohammad Rizwan (10*) then joined hands to help launch Pakistan’s recovery as he ensured no further damage until Lunch.
Ghulam and Rizwan extended their unbeaten partnership to 81 runs in the second session before Paterson dismissed both batters in quick succession.
Ghulam top-scored for Pakistan with a 71-ball 54, while Rizwan played a cautious 27-run knock from 62 balls.
Aamir Jamal struck 28 runs from 27 balls and added 47 runs for the seventh wicket with Salman Ali Agha (18) before South Africa bowlers made a resounding comeback, taking three quick wickets.
Pakistan lost their last wicket on the third ball after the Tea as Khurram Shahzad (11) fell prey to Marco Jansen. Returning pacer Mohammad Abbas remained unbeaten on 10.
Paterson returned with the bowling figures of 5-61, while debutant Bosch gave away 63 runs for his four wickets.
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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