New Delhi: After bundling out Pakistan for a paltry 211 runs in the first innings of the first Test match, South Africa did not have the best of the starts at the SuperSport Park in Centurion on Thursday. Bowlers led by Dane Paterson and Corbin Bosch put the hosts in a commanding position on the opening day but the batters did not have perfect start to the proceedings as expected.
Tony de Zorzi and Ryan Rickelton were sent back to the pavilion quickly and Tristan Stubbs also followed the pair departing for just 9 runs. Zorzi scored 2 and Rickelton scored 8 paving way for the talented Aiden Markram to come on to the crease and showcase his class. Markram stood their firmly facing 67 deliveries and accumulated 47 runs, just 3 short of a half-century, when stumps were called.
South Africa trail Pakistan by 129 runs
The veteran Proteas batter launched a counter-attack strategy smashing the Pakistani bowlers for nine boundaries in the entire innings. 36 out of his 47 runs came through fours as he played typical Test ball cricket navigating through the ups and downs strategically. When stumps were called, the Proteas were 82/3, with Markram (47) and Temba Bavuma (4) holding fort for the hosts, who still trail Pakistan (211) by 129 runs.
While Bavuma is expected to showcase his magic on the second day, but he displayed his Test match skills by staying solid on crease as he scored his 4 runs after facing 23 balls. Earlier, apart from Kamran Ghulam who shined with 54 runs, none of the other Pakistani batters could show the courage to stand in front of a quality bowling. While Paterson starred with the ball picking his second Test fifer and that too consecutively, Bosch ably supported him from the other end as he overhauled the visitors by claiming four wickets. Paterson accounted for vital dismissals which ended up denting Pakistan’s innings.
South Africa vs Pakistan: Aiden Markram kept South Africa afloat in the Centurion Test match on Thursday after the hosts lost a flurry of wickets at the SuperSport Park. Cricket Sports News: Latest Cricket News, Cricket Live Score, Sports Breaking News from Sports Today
