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Pakistan, fresh off a dominant 3-0 whitewash over South Africa in their recent ODI series, will now turn their focus to the upcoming two-match Test series, with the first match set to begin on December 26, 2024, at Centurion.
Opening batter Saim Ayub was the standout performer in the ODI series, producing brilliant knocks that earned him the Player of the Series award.
South Africa’s defeat in the third ODI, by 36 runs at Wanderers marked their first-ever whitewash in a home bilateral ODI series.
The two sides have faced off in 28 Test matches.
South Africa leads the head-to-head with 15 wins, while Pakistan has claimed 6 victories, and 7 matches have ended in a draw.
Pakistan squad for South Africa Test series:
Shan Masood (captain), Saud Shakeel (vice-captain), Aamir Jamal, Abdullah Shafique, Babar Azam, Haseebullah (wk), Kamran Ghulam, Khurram Shahzad, Mir Hamza, Mohammad Abbas, Mohammad Rizwan (wk), Naseem Shah, Noman Ali, Saim Ayub, Salman Ali Agha
South Africa squad against Pakistan:
Temba Bavuma (capt), David Bedingham, Corbin Bosch, Matthew Breetzke, Tony de Zorzi, Marco Jansen, Keshav Maharaj, Kwena Maphaka, Aiden Markram, Wiaan Mulder, Senuran Muthusamy, Dane Paterson, Kagiso Rabada, Ryan Rickelton, Tristan Stubbs, Kyle Verreynne (wk)
What are the dates and times for South Africa vs Pakistan ODI series?
| Match | Day and Date | Time (PST) | Ground |
| 1st Test | Thursday, December 26, 2024 | 1:00 PM | Centurion |
| 2nd Test | Friday, January 03, 2024 | 1:30 PM | Cape Town |
ICC Test rankings:
In the ICC World Test Championship (WTC) 2023-25 standings, Pakistan is currently in seventh place with 40 points from 10 matches, including four victories, while South Africa leads the table with 76 points from 10 matches and is one win away from securing a spot in the WTC final, with an impressive win percentage of 63.33 percent.
Test cricket sees the return of Mohammad Abbas, who has not played for Pakistan since August 2021, along with Naseem Shah, who missed the England series, and the inclusion of Khurram Shahzad, following his impressive performances for Pakistan Shaheens.
ICC World Test Championship probability:
South Africa’s Current Situation (63.33%)
South Africa currently holds a percentage of 63.33, with two upcoming home Tests against Pakistan, below are the probability scenario of South Africa to play the World Test Championship:
- To qualify for the final, South Africa must win at least one match.
- If they lose the series 1-0 and finish with 55.56%, both India and Australia could surpass them:
- India needs a win and a draw in Australia.
- Australia needs a win and a draw in Sri Lanka.
- If South Africa loses both Tests, their percentage drops to 52.78%. This opens the door for:
- One of India or Australia likely surpassing them.
- If India only earns four points and Sri Lanka doesn’t sweep their series, South Africa may still have a chance.
- In the scenario where India wins and draws their Tests and Sri Lanka wins 1-0, India and South Africa would qualify.
Pakistan’s Current Situation (33.33%)
Pakistan has a very slim chance of qualification in the World Test Championship. Their remaining matches are two away Tests against South Africa and two home Tests against West Indies.
- Even with four wins, Pakistan would finish at 52.38%, just below South Africa’s current 52.78%.
- If South Africa loses an over-rate point, their percentage drops to 52.08%, which gives Pakistan a remote chance if results go in their favor.
- Despite the theoretical possibility, Pakistan is most likely out of contention.
Highest total between Pakistan and South Africa in Test matches?
The highest total in Test matches between Pakistan and South Africa is South Africa’s 620/7 declared, achieved in Cape Town in 2003, where they defeated Pakistan by an innings and 142 runs.
The highest total in Test matches at SuperSport Park, Centurion, is South Africa’s 621, scored against Sri Lanka, where South Africa won by an innings and 45 runs.
Pakistan’s highest total at SuperSport Park, Centurion, is 313 runs, scored against South Africa, who chased down the target and won by 7 wickets.
South Africa and Pakistan have played four Test matches at Newlands, Cape Town, with South Africa winning all of them.
South Africa and Pakistan have played 3 Test matches at SuperSport Park, Centurion, with South Africa winning all of them.
Who are top run-scorers in Pakistan vs South Africa in Test series?
Among the active players, South Africa’s Aiden Markram has 428 runs in 9 innings, with 1 century and 3 fifties, while Babar Azam from Pakistan has scored 343 runs in 10 innings, including 3 fifties.
Temba Bavuma (South Africa) and Shan Masood (Pakistan) have also been impactful, with Bavuma scoring 334 runs in 9 innings and Masood contributing 324 runs in 10 innings, each with 3 fifties.
While the retired players of South Africa and Pakistan have seen notable contributions from both sides. Jacques Kallis, a legendary all-rounder from South Africa, has accumulated 1,564 runs in 33 innings, with an impressive tally of 6 centuries and 8 fifties.
Graeme Smith has scored 1,259 runs in 28 innings, with 4 centuries and 3 fifties.
For Pakistan, Younis Khan leads with 990 runs in 28 innings, including 4 centuries and 2 fifties, while Taufeeq Umar has scored 730 runs in 12 innings, registering 2 centuries and 4 fifties.
Who scored the highest scores in Test between Pakistan vs South Africa?
AB de Villiers (South Africa) scored 278 runs in Abu Dhabi during the South Africa tour of UAE from November 20-24, 2010. Graeme Smith (South Africa) followed with 234 runs in Dubai from October 23-26, 2013, on the same tour.
Khurram Manzoor (Pakistan) made 146 runs in Abu Dhabi during the South Africa tour of UAE from October 14-17, 2013. Azhar Mahmood (Pakistan) scored 136 runs in Johannesburg from February 14-18, 1998, during the Pakistan tour of South Africa.
What are the largest margin wins in Tests between South Africa vs Pakistan?
In Test matches between Pakistan and South Africa, there have been several notable margins of victory.
By Innings:
South Africa’s largest victory by innings came on January 2, 2003, in Cape Town, where they defeated Pakistan by an innings and 142 runs. Other significant innings victories include a margin of innings and 92 runs in Dubai on October 23, 2013, and innings and 18 runs in Centurion on February 22, 2013.
By Runs:
When considering victories by runs, South Africa’s biggest win was by 324 runs in Johannesburg on January 19, 1995, followed by another dominant victory by 259 runs in Gqeberha on March 6, 1998.
Moreover, South Africa triumphed by 211 runs in Johannesburg on February 1, 2013, and by 160 runs in Karachi on October 1, 2007.
Other significant wins by South Africa include a 107-run victory in Johannesburg in January 2019 and a 53-run win in Faisalabad on October 24, 1997.
Pakistan’s most notable victory by runs came in Rawalpindi on February 4, 2021, where they defeated South Africa by 95 runs.
Another memorable win for Pakistan was a 29-run victory in Durban on February 26, 1998. These matches highlight the competitive nature of the contests between the two nations in Test cricket.
What are the highest Test scores at South African venues?
SuperSport Park, Centurion:
At SuperSport Park in Centurion, Pakistan’s highest individual scores in Test matches include Babar Azam’s 71, Younis Khan’s 68, Yasir Hameed’s 65, Shan Masood’s 65, and Imran Farhat’s 68. These performances have contributed to Pakistan’s competitive presence in Test matches at this venue.
For South Africa, the top individual scores at SuperSport Park include Ashwell Prince’s remarkable 138, AB de Villiers’ 121, Herschelle Gibbs’ 94, and Hashim Amla’s 92. These strong performances have played a significant role in South Africa’s dominance at home in Test cricket.
Newlands, Cape Town:
At Newlands, Cape Town, Pakistan’s highest individual scores in Test matches include Taufeeq Umar’s impressive 135, Younis Khan’s 111, Asad Shafiq’s 111, Mohammad Yousaf’s 83, and Babar Azam’s 72. These performances have been key moments for Pakistan in Test cricket at this renowned venue.
For South Africa, the top scores at Newlands are highlighted by Herschelle Gibbs’ remarkable 228, Graeme Smith’s 151, Faf du Plessis’ 103, Robin Peterson’s 84, and Aiden Markram’s 78. These strong innings have contributed to South Africa’s dominant performances at home in Test matches.
Who are top wicket-takers in Pakistan vs South Africa Test series?
The best bowling figures in an innings for South Africa include Vernon Philander’s impressive 5 wickets for 59 runs and another notable performance of 4 wickets for 40 runs. Makhaya Ntini also had a strong outing with 4 wickets for 33 runs, while Jacques Kallis contributed with 4 wickets for 42 runs, and Shaun Pollock claimed 4 wickets for 45 runs.
For Pakistan, Saeed Ajmal recorded the best figures with 6 wickets for 96 runs, followed by another excellent performance of 4 wickets for 51 runs. Mohammad also delivered a strong performance with 4 wickets for 88 runs, and Shaheen Shah Afridi contributed with 4 wickets for 123 runs, showcasing the impressive bowling efforts from both teams in Test cricket.
Largest and Smallest Margins of Victory in Tests: Pakistan vs South Africa
Largest Margin of Victory (South Africa) – South Africa won by an innings and 142 runs, Cape Town
Smallest Margin of Victory (Pakistan) – Pakistan won by 29 runs, Durban
