South Africa Seal WTC Final Berth with Thrilling Win

South Africa clinched their spot in the World Test Championship final after beating Pakistan by two wickets in Centurion. The hosts required 121 runs on Day 4 and were in a comfortable position at 96 for 4, but a mini collapse saw them stumble to 99 for 8.

Turning Point: Abbas' Efforts Go in Vain

Mohammad Abbas picked up career-best figures of 6-54, but his efforts were undone by an unbeaten 51-run partnership between Kagiso Rabada and Marco Jansen. The ninth wicket stand sealed the victory for the hosts.

Key Moments

• Aiden Markram and Temba Bavuma played measured innings, but a collapse saw the hosts stumble from 96 for 4 to 99 for 8.
• Bavuma was dismissed by Abbas after missing a heave and being caught behind.
• Jansen and Rabada showed great composure, leaving balls not in line with the stumps and pouncing on loose balls offered by Abbas and Naseem.
• Rabada survived a nick off Abbas and targeted the bowlers from the other end, timing the ball perfectly and clubbing Naseem over cover for a boundary.
• Jansen brought down the equation to 15 with a square cut off Abbas, and the crowd grew louder than ever.

Brief Scores

Pakistan 211 & 237 (Saud Shakeel 66*, Babar Azam 50; Marco Jansen 5-42, Kagiso Rabada 2-68)
lost to South Africa 301 & 150/8 (Temba Bavuma 40, Aiden Markram 37; Mohammad Abbas 6-54, Naseem Shah 1-34) by two wickets