South Africa vs Pakistan 1st Test Tips - Hosts to be too strong in Boxing Day test?

By Nikhil Kalro

23 Dec 2024

Nikhil Kalro 23 Dec 2024

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Pakistan swept South Africa 3-0 in ODIs, boosting their morale for Tests
South Africa relies on home advantage; conditions favor their strengths
Both teams feature key players and new additions impacting team dynamics

South Africa to win Boxing Day test (Getty Images)

South Africa vs Pakistan First Test Preview
South Africa Form
South Africa Team News
Pakistan Form
Pakistan Team News

South Africa vs Pakistan First Test Preview

Pakistan put in a spectacular performance of traditional ODI cricket as they blanked South Africa 3-0 in the ODI series that preceded the first Test on Boxing Day in Centurion.

South Africa chose a full-strength team for that series but were simply unable to come close to Pakistan’s level of efficiency across all three ODIs.

Pakistan will celebrate the return to form to their main stalwarts, including Babar Azam and Mohammad Rizwan. There were also terrific performances from several of Pakistan’s young players, which will bring plenty of confidence and momentum to the visitors’ camp.

South Africa will move to a format they will enjoy at home. The Tests have often been South Africa’s strength, particularly in conditions that will prove hard for the visitors.

That was evident from their recent series against Sri Lanka, where South Africa were just too strong despite periods of fight from the visitors.

South Africa Form

South Africa will transition quickly from a poor series with the World Test Championship still at stake. South Africa’s batting form of the ODIs won’t be much of a concern with several personnel changes expected.

With Kagiso Rabada and Marco Jansen, South Africa have enough resources in the bowling despite several injuries.

South Africa Team News

There have been injuries to key members of South Africa’s Test team, which means there could be some forced changes.

Corbin Bosch earned his maiden call him to South Africa’s Test team could make his debut at Centurion.

Pakistan Form

Pakistan have traditionally struggled against pace and bounce, including in conditions like Australia and South Africa. There is some momentum after the ODI series but the Tests will pose a different challenge to their batters.

At least Pakistan’s fast bowlers will enjoy the extra pace on offer, and could significantly trouble a batting order that has been shaky at various points in this home season already.

Pakistan Team News

Shan Masood will lead the Pakistan Test team. After two hundreds in three matches in the ODI series, Saim Ayub will likely hold his position at the top of the order for Pakistan.

A new-look bowling attack includes Mohammad Abbas, Naseem Shah, Mir Hamza and Khurram Shahzad. Noman Ali is the only specialist spinner in the Pakistan squad.

Verdict

South Africa v Pakistan - 1st Test

South Africa’s bowlers have plenty of rhythm from their Test series win against Sri Lanka earlier in the home season.

Even though Pakistan’s batters have scored runs, these conditions will be quite dissimilar from the ODIs. South Africa have too many resources and simply too much depth in this Test series for the visitors.

South Africa Win

Match Result

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