Left Arm Around

Kagiso Rabada’s unbeaten 31 from 26 balls sealed a tense South Africa victory over Pakistan on day five of the first Test at SuperSport Park.

The brilliance of the returning Mohammad Abbas saw the Proteas reduced to 99-8 in pursuit of 148, but an unbroken stand of 50 between Rabada and Marco Jansen inspired jubilant celebrations with the hosts booking their spot in June’s World Test Championship final.

Temba Bavuma’s side will face either Australia, Sri Lanka or India at Lord’s.

While Aiden Markram fell for 37 after Abbas clattered into off-stump, it appeared South Africa were marching towards victory when Bavuma and David Bedingham went on the counter-attack.

However, Bavuma’s dismissal for 40 triggered a collapse of four wickets for just three runs as Pakistan steamrolled through a vulnerable middle order.

Abbas delivered his pinpoint accurate best to remove Bedingham and debutant hero Corbin Bosch first ball, alongside the prized scalp of Bavuma, picking up career-best figures of 6-54 after a three-year lay-off from the Test arena.

But just as they looked to be staring down the barrel of a dramatic defeat, leaving their WTC final place in jeopardy, Rabada and Jansen bulldozed South Africa to a remarkable triumph that will live long in the memory.

Their partnership of 50 came in only 48 deliveries- including back-to-back boundaries from the blade of Rabada as the hosts closed in on victory.

The highlights of brutal stroke-making will generate the headlines, but both Jansen and Rabada should be credited for the rotation of strike that did not allow the Pakistan bowlers to build further pressure.

Pakistan will also rue a first innings bowling display that saw debutant number 9 Corbin Bosch hit 81 not out, giving South Africa a crucial 90 run lead at the halfway stage.

The two sides meet for the second and final Test at Newlands in Cape Town on January 3.

Who will they face?

Australia look the most likely opponents for South Africa in June.

They have four Tests left in the current WTC cycle, including the ongoing match against India at the MCG.

Victory in three of these four Tests will guarantee their qualification.

Should India draw in Melbourne and win in Sydney, the Aussies will travel to Sri Lanka for two Tests knowing they must win 2-0 to book their place at Lord’s.

On the other hand, India will ensure qualification if they win in BOTH Melbourne and Sydney.

Sri Lanka’s only hope of facing South Africa is if they whitewash Australia 2-0 and other results go their way in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy.