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CENTURION, South Africa — Fast bowler Corbin Bosch made a significant impact on his debut by scoring a record-breaking fifty, putting South Africa in a favorable position during the first test against Pakistan on Friday.
Bosch remained unbeaten with a score of 81 runs off 93 deliveries, the highest recorded by a number nine batsman on his test debut. His performance contributed to South Africa securing a 90-run lead in their first innings, ultimately leading to the home team being bowled out for 301.
As Day 2 wrapped up due to poor light, Pakistan was batting at 88-3, falling just short by two runs. Babar Azam was at the crease with 16 runs, while Saud Shakeel was not out on 8.
In order for South Africa to secure a spot in the World Test Championship final at Lord’s next year, they need to clinch one of the two test matches against Pakistan. Competing for the final spot are Sri Lanka, India, and Australia.
The opening batsmen Saim Ayub and captain Shan Masood both started off strong, scoring 28 runs each, providing a counteroffensive against South Africa’s pace attack, but Pakistan fell apart late in the session, losing three wickets for just 25 runs under the overcast skies.
Kagiso Rabada, who bowled impressively but went wicketless in the first innings, broke through by dismissing Ayub, while Marco Jansen quickly followed up by claiming the wickets of Masood and Kamran Ghulam (4) in consecutive overs.
Corbin Bosch, at 30 years of age, showcased his skills effectively, claiming a wicket with his first delivery on Day 1 and finishing with impressive figures of 4-63 as Pakistan was bowled out for 211. Dane Paterson also shined, securing a five-wicket haul with figures of 5-61.
Bosch’s batting displayed dominance over the Pakistani pace bowlers, hitting 15 boundaries, including elegant cover drives and pull shots. He formed a crucial partnership of 41 runs with Rabada, followed by a further 47 runs with number eleven batsman Paterson.
South Africa’s momentum wavered as they slipped from 178-4 to 213-8, losing Aiden Markram (89) who was dismissed while chasing his eighth Test century, edging a delivery from Khurram Shahzad to wicketkeeper Mohammad Rizwan.
Naseem Shah bowled a 10-over spell, successfully picking up three wickets after struggling with his lengths early on, causing chaos in South Africa’s middle order on a day highlighted by Markram’s efforts.
Bosch held his ground, building his score patiently as Pakistan’s bowlers grew increasingly frustrated. Just as the South African lead reached 43, Rabada met his downfall after skying a short ball from Aamer Jamal, caught by Babar at short mid-wicket. Bosch, however, reached his half-century with a stellar cover drive off just 46 balls.
Paterson also demonstrated his batting prowess with a straight six off Mohammad Abbas, who was making his Test comeback after more than three years. Bosch was on track for a memorable century but was ultimately outcaught as Paterson, eager to increase runs, fell to a brilliant running catch by Shahzad at mid-off.
Earlier in the innings, Markram guided South Africa to 180-5 after they resumed play at 82-3. However, Pakistan responded strongly, taking two wickets in the latter half of the session. Captain Temba Bavuma (31) and David Bedingham (30) were both dismissed after edging behind the stumps.
Markram, who reached his half-century with an elegant cover drive off Naseem, extended the fourth-wicket partnership to 70 runs alongside Bavuma before Pakistan managed their first breakthrough. Jamal’s relentless bowling finally paid off with Bavuma edging an outside delivery.
Bedingham fought back aggressively, scoring five boundaries during his 33-ball innings, even surviving an unsuccessful lbw review. Yet, he was soon caught after being deceived by extra bounce, leading to his dismissal in the next-to-last over before lunch.
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