The Pakistan cricket team, after a 3-0 ODI series win over South Africa, will face the Proteas in the first Test starting on December 26 at SuperSport Park, Centurion. This match influences the World Test Championship standings, vital for South Africa’s title ambitions while providing a glimmer of hope for India’s future in the tournament. Live coverage will be available through Sports18 and JioCinema in India.
The Pakistan cricket team, fresh off a 3-0 triumph over South Africa in their recent ODI series, is set to compete against the Proteas in the first Test of a two-match series on December 26, known as Boxing Day. This match will occur at SuperSport Park in Centurion. The Test forms a crucial part of the World Test Championship (WTC) for 2023-25, with significant implications for other nations, particularly India and Australia, who will be playing their own Test match concurrently in Melbourne.
South Africa currently leads the WTC points table and requires victories in their matches against Pakistan to strengthen their position for the final at Lord’s scheduled for next year. Conversely, India’s continued ambitions for the WTC final hinge on Pakistan’s performance in these Tests; a victory for Pakistan in either match would boost India’s faint chances, provided that India secures a win against Australia.
Prior to this encounter, Pakistan had achieved a 2-1 series win against England after initially losing the opening match, showcasing their resilient form. Meanwhile, the South African team, led by captain Temba Bavuma, had recently secured a 2-0 win over Sri Lanka at home. Historically, South Africa has a favorable record against Pakistan, winning 15 out of 28 encounters, with seven matches concluding as draws.
The expected playing eleven for South Africa includes Aiden Markram, Tony de Zorzi, Ryan Rickelton, and Tristan Stubbs, while Pakistan’s lineup will feature Shan Masood, Babar Azam, and Mohammad Rizwan among others. This anticipated Test match is scheduled to commence at 1:30 PM IST, following a coin toss 30 minutes prior. In India, fans can watch the live telecast on Sports18, with live streaming accessible via the JioCinema app and website.
The South Africa vs Pakistan cricket series is an essential fixture in international cricket as it forms part of the World Test Championship (WTC) cycle, impacting the competition landscape significantly. With the backdrop of intense performances in the ODI series, the Test series holds crucial consequences for teams vying for a spot in the championship final. Furthermore, the historical performance between these two teams adds a layer of intrigue, with South Africa holding a favorable head-to-head record over Pakistan. This context underscores not only the competitive nature of the series but also its importance in reflecting the current state of cricket among the teams involved.
The first Test match between South Africa and Pakistan promises to be a crucial encounter in the ongoing World Test Championship. With significant implications for both teams as well as for India’s hopes of reaching the final, this match is anticipated to attract considerable attention. Given the historical performances and the current form of each team, it is expected to be an engaging contest at SuperSport Park on December 26.
Original Source: www.livemint.com
