South Africa have stockpiled 316 runs for the loss of three wickets on the opening day of the New Year’s Test against Pakistan. Centuries from Ryan Rickelton and Temba Bavuma made the visitor bowlers toil hard but they will have to aim to strike with the second new ball on the second day.
Having already cemented a spot in the World Test Championship Finals, South Africa won the toss and chose to bat first to make the most out of the bright conditions. The ploy synced with the new opening duo of Ryan Rickelton and Aiden Markram with the former not hesitating to execute his strokes. The white-ball skipper continued his cautious approach from where he started in the series as the fifty runs stand came up in the twelfth over. The partnership grew to 61 before Khurram Shahzad’s arrival brought down curtains for Markram in the 16th over. Returning Wiaan Mulder and Tristan Stubbs followed back to the hut quickly at the cusp of Lunch but Rickelton’s fifty kept South Africa moving with 72/3 in 22.5 overs.
Temba Bavuma accompanied Rickelton in the middle and played second fiddle to the attacking strokes from the left-hander. The pair quickly brought up a fifty runs partnership and converted it to a century stand after the Drinks Break with the left-hander smashing a century. However, run-scoring was slow against the spinners in the latter half of the session as the pair collected just 43 runs in 13 overs with the scorecard reflecting 184/3 in 50 overs at Tea.
The pair didn’t hesitate to play some aerial strokes after South Africa surpassed the 200-run mark. The pair quickly brought up the team 200 before showing aggressive signs with the bat. However, they were watchful against the spinners with Rickleton getting to the 150 run mark and Bavuma completing yet another century with an enthusiastic celebration in the second half of the innings. The 300 runs mark came up next for the Proteas and the partnership stayed unbridled with 316/4 in 80 overs at Stumps.
Proteas lead
What do you think
What do you think 🤔 Who will won this test ?
Pakistan vs South Africa— Trend Chaser (@Karkaju786) January 3, 2025
Salman Agha got 2 wickets , pakistan opted no spinner in playing 11. South Africa announced their squad 1 day before test match, included Maharaj in playing 11, kum az kum unko hee dekh ke noman Ali ko dall dete #PAKvsSA
— Yasir Hameed (@Yasir_HameedQ) January 3, 2025
Well played
WELL PLAYED! 👏
– South Africa captain Temba Bavuma played an outstanding innings of 106 off 179 balls, including 19 fours and 2 sixes against Pakistan in the 2nd Test, and he got a standing ovation from the Cape Town crowd for his brilliant innings. 😇#TembaBavuma #SAvPAK pic.twitter.com/lBeAVdh8mU— Akaran.A (@Akaran_1) January 3, 2025
The best
Temba Bavuma’s celebration has to be one of the best celebrations of all time.
Rickleton and Temba smashing Pakistan.
Full on entertainer is Sir Temba Bavuma,Big fan.
He is South Africa’s Sachin Tendulkar #SAvsPAK— Archisman Mishra (@iamarchis16) January 3, 2025
TEMBA BAVUMA SMASHES A BRILLIANT CENTURY AGAINST PAKISTAN!
South Africa’s leader rises to the occasion in the WTC, guiding his team with a captain’s knock as they set sights on Lord’s! 🔥 #SAvPAK pic.twitter.com/iwdM2pTf2Z— Sports World 🏏⚽. (@ShamimSports) January 3, 2025
Lead from the front
Century
HUNDRED FOR TEMBA BAVUMA AGAINST PAKISTAN…!!!!
– Captain of South Africa, leading the team by example in the WTC, they are coming to the Lord’s under Bavuma.👏#INDvsAUS #SAvPAK #SamKonstas #SAvsPAK pic.twitter.com/5CByGCUCKW— Cricket Knowledge (@SirraManmo26299) January 3, 2025
💯 FOR TEMBA BAVUMA AGAINST PAKISTAN..
Captain of South Africa, leading the team by example in the WTC, they are coming to the Lord’s under Bavuma— Raj (@raj11Aug) January 3, 2025
Joy
The joy on Temba Bavuma face from getting a century for South Africa v Pakistan will take some beating this year.
— Harry Diamond (@SpursracesHarry) January 3, 2025
