Pakistan endured a challenging start to the Boxing Day Test against South Africa, as their top order faltered during the opening session. At lunch on Day 1, the visitors were reeling at 88 for 4 wickets, struggling to recover from a dramatic collapse that handed the hosts early control of the match.
South Africa, after winning the toss, opted to bowl first on a surface offering early assistance to the pacers. Pakistan managed to navigate the first hour without losing a wicket, reaching 36/0, but fortunes shifted rapidly. Debutant Corbin Bosch made an immediate impact, striking with his very first ball in Test cricket to remove Shan Masood, sparking a top-order collapse. Dane Paterson soon followed suit, exploiting Pakistan’s vulnerabilities to leave them floundering at 56/4.
The dismissals of Saim Ayub, skipper Babar Azam, and Saud Shakeel came in quick succession, exposing the fragility of Pakistan’s batting lineup. Bosch and Paterson shared two wickets each, combining disciplined line and length with intelligent variations to unsettle the visitors.
Despite the setback, Mohammad Rizwan and Kamran Ghulam offered a glimmer of hope with a counterattacking partnership. The duo attempted to stabilize the innings with aggressive stroke play, targeting loose deliveries to keep the scoreboard ticking. However, South Africa will be content with the position they find themselves in, as Pakistan’s bold approach also creates opportunities for further breakthroughs.
The morning session was a tale of two contrasting halves. While the opening hour saw Pakistan’s openers navigating a probing spell from Kagiso Rabada and Lungi Ngidi on a slightly sluggish pitch, the second hour belonged entirely to South Africa. The hosts capitalized on Pakistan’s lapses in concentration, swinging the momentum decisively in their favor.
As play resumes after lunch, all eyes will be on Rizwan and Ghulam to mount a recovery and steer Pakistan toward a competitive total. With South Africa’s bowlers in rhythm and conditions offering some assistance, the second session promises another riveting contest.