A remarkable bowling performance by Mohammad Abbas has put Pakistan on the brink of a thrilling come-from-behind victory on Day 4 of the first Test against South Africa at SuperSport Park.
By the lunch interval on Sunday, South Africa was reeling at 116/8, requiring 32 more runs to avoid defeat.
South Africa resumed their innings on 27/3, with Aiden Markram and captain Temba Bavuma tasked with leading the chase of a modest target of 148.
The pair extended their overnight partnership to 43 runs before Abbas made the breakthrough, dismissing Markram for 37. The right-hander faced 63 balls, hitting six boundaries before Abbas uprooted his stumps.
Abbas struck again soon after, removing Bavuma for 40, which proved to be the top score for South Africa. Bavuma faced 78 balls, hitting four fours and a six.
In the very next over, Pakistan’s Naseem Shah joined the attack, dismissing wicketkeeper-batter Kyle Verreynne for just two runs. With the score at 90/6, Abbas was in full flow, claiming two more wickets in consecutive balls.
David Bedingham fell for 14, and debutant Corbin Bosch was sent back for a duck, leaving South Africa in a precarious position at 99/8.
Despite the collapse, Marco Jansen and Kagiso Rabada put up a valiant fight, adding 17 runs before the break, leaving South Africa on 116/8. Jansen was on five, and Rabada was unbeaten on 10.
At lunch, Pakistan was in control, with Abbas having taken six wickets so far. Naseem Shah and Khurram Shahzad also claimed a wicket apiece, and the visitors are now just two wickets away from completing a remarkable turnaround.
