/blog-sky365/media/media_files/2025/01/02/Kn4vSt4HGSGuS1TzNveT.jpg)
Source: Outlook India
South Africa will enter the Newlands Cricket Ground in Cape Town with high spirits after securing their place in the World Test Championship (WTC) Final, hoping to defeat Pakistan handily. Both sides have a lot to battle for in the second Test, which begins on Friday, January 3.
Pakistan was bowled out for 211 in the first innings of the first Test match. For the tourists, Kamran Ghulam scored a half-century. However, Aiden Markam's outstanding 89 from 144 balls gave South Africa a 90-run lead in the first innings. After stout half-centuries from Saud Shakeel (84) and Babar Azam (50), Pakistan was bowled out for 237 in their second innings.
South Africa vs Pakistan 2nd test match details:
Match | South Africa vs Pakistan, 2nd Test |
Venue | Newlands, Cape Town |
Date and Time | Friday-Tuesday, January 3–7, 2025, 2:00 PM IST |
Pitch report:
Early visuals of the Newlands pitch show a beautiful, green field that is anticipated to be a bowler's track. Additionally, this location has produced findings from numerous tests. Pace bowlers are drawn to this type of surface. This track, which is well-known for its bounce and movement, has long produced exciting bat-ball matches.
Weather report:
The surface is now more damp due to heavy rains that fell in Cape Town earlier this week, which could give the seamers more spice. The captain who wins the toss may decide to bowl first in order to take advantage of the early conditions, as rain is predicted on Day 3.
Head to head:
Matches | 29 |
Won by South Africa | 16 |
Won by Pakistan | 06 |
Draw | 07 |
No Result | 00 |
Predicted playing XI:
South Africa probable squad: Tony de Zorzi, David Bedingham, Aiden Markram, Tristan Stubbs, Kyle Verreynne (wicketkeeper), Corbin Bosch, Marco Jansen, Kagiso Rabada, Dane Paterson, Ryan Rickelton/Keshav Maharaj, and Temba Bavuma (captain)
Pakistan probable squad: Aamir Jamal/Noman Ali, Babar Azam, Saim Ayub, Saud Shakeel, Salman Ali Agha, Shan Masood (captain), Kamran Ghulam, Naseem Shah, Mohammad Abbas, and Khurram Shahzad
Watch this space for more cricket news.