The first Test match between South Africa and Pakistan is set for December 26 at SuperSport Park in Centurion. South Africa is coming off a strong Test victory over Sri Lanka, while Pakistan seeks to build on its success in limited-overs cricket. Both teams have announced their playing elevens and are eager to face each other in this highly anticipated series. Live coverage will be available on Sports 18 and through streaming on JioCinema.
The much-anticipated Test series between South Africa and Pakistan is set to commence on Thursday, December 26, at SuperSport Park, located in Centurion. Following a disheartening series of losses in the ODI format where South Africa faced a clean sweep by Pakistan, the Proteas enter this Test series with renewed vigor. They recently displayed exceptional form in Test cricket, achieving a 2-0 victory against Sri Lanka at home, which elevated them to the leading position in the World Test Championship standings, ahead of notable rivals such as Australia and India.
On the other hand, Pakistan arrives with a surge of confidence, influenced by their recent triumph in the limited-overs format. They are eager to maintain this momentum as they transition into the Test arena. Pakistan’s latest home series against England resulted in their first Test series victory in three years, ably guided by captain Shan Masood. The forthcoming series between these two feisty teams is expected to deliver an exhilarating display of Test cricket, given both teams’ impressive performances leading up to this match.
In preparation for the 1st Test, South Africa has confirmed their playing eleven, with skipper Temba Bavuma at the helm. The confirmed line-up includes: Tony de Zorzi, Aiden Markram, Ryan Rickelton, Tristan Stubbs, David Bedingham, Kyle Verreynne, Marco Jansen, Kagiso Rabada, Dane Paterson, and Corbin Bosch. Pakistan’s probable playing eleven comprises: Shan Masood (captain), Saud Shakeel (vice-captain), Salman Ali Agha, Babar Azam, Saim Ayub, Aamir Jamal, Mohammad Rizwan (wicketkeeper), Kamran Ghulam, Naseem Shah, Noman Ali, and Khurram Shahzad.
Historically, South Africa boasts a stronger record in Test cricket against Pakistan, having won 15 of the 28 matches played between the two sides. As the series nears, anticipation builds with fervor, especially regarding the insights into the teams’ past encounters.
The live toss for the first Test match is scheduled to take place at 1:00 PM IST, followed by the commencement of the match at 1:30 PM IST. For viewers in India, the live telecast will be available through the Sports 18 network. Furthermore, fans can catch the live streaming via JioCinema and its corresponding website, enhancing accessibility to this thrilling cricketing event.
This article highlights the imminent Test series between South Africa and Pakistan, emphasizing the contrasting recent performances of both teams in different formats of cricket. South Africa’s recent successes in Test cricket stand in stark contrast to their limited-overs failures against Pakistan, and the article presents both teams’ squad details leading into the match. The historical performance records provide context for their head-to-head encounters, enhancing the anticipation for the upcoming matches. Furthermore, details regarding the live broadcast and streaming options ensure that fans can engage with the event effectively.
In summary, the opening Test of the series between South Africa and Pakistan promises to be an exciting clash, showcasing two teams in good form but coming from different contexts. With South Africa riding high on their recent Test successes and Pakistan confident following their limited-overs triumphs, the match is set to provide compelling cricketing action. Fans are encouraged to catch the live coverage to witness what promises to be a fiercely contested series.
Original Source: www.business-standard.com
