SA vs PAK Match Prediction | 1st Test

Betting Tips

This will be the series that determines which team has had the more successful tour. South Africa won the T20I series. Pakistan won the ODI series. This Test series is an important one as things lead up to the climax of the ICC World Test Championship. Both teams will be evenly matched.

South Africa vs Pakistan Head-to-Head Record

Their five most recent Test matches have shown that this will be an exciting Test series. South Africa have won three times and Pakistan have won the two most recent Test matches. The previous Test series between the two which was hosted in South Africa was won by the home side three-nil.

South Africa vs Pakistan Live-streaming and Broadcast

South Africa and Pakistan open the Test series at SuperSport Park, Centurion for the first Test from Thursday, 26 December 2024 to Monday, 30 December 2024. The Indian audience will have the action available to them via the Sports 18 Network channels for TV broadcast and JioCinema app for live-streaming.

SA vs PAK Team Previews

South Africa

The ever-reliable Temba Bavuma will skipper the South Africans. Bavuma was the player-of-the-series against Sri Lanka when he scored 327 runs in the Test series. Aiden Markram, known for his solid technique and aggressive mindset, will aim to anchor the opening batting spot alongside Tony de Zorzi.

The left-handed Tony de Zorzi is starting to find his feet in international cricket. Ryan Rickelton brings stability with his composed approach and understanding of conditions in the highveld. The promising Tristan Stubbs adds flair and explosiveness to the middle-order. The youngster has 490 runs in his last seven Tests.

David Bedingham has been a consistent run-scorer in county cricket. That form has translated to his innings for South Africa too. Kyle Verreynne is an agile wicketkeeper-batter whose adaptability will be key in pressure situations.

Both Rickelton and Verreynne recorded centuries in their previous Test match. Marco Jansen will be valuable with the new ball when he gets the ball to swing from his left-arm angle. He can also chip in with the bat.

Kagiso Rabada is the premier fast bowler in the country. Rabada is a genuine match-winner with extreme pace and accuracy. He is ably complemented by the guile of left-arm spinner Keshav Maharaj. The spinner has 35 Test wickets in his last six matches, including a five-wicket haul in his previous Test.

Dane Paterson has recently been reintroduced to the Proteas setup. He offers control and the ability to move the ball off the wicket. Paterson claimed his maiden five-wicket haul in Tests against Sri Lanka.

South Africa Expected Playing 11

Pakistan

Abdullah Shafique and Saim Ayub bring dynamic shot-making and composure against the new ball. Ayub has been in superb form in both the T20Is and ODIs while also hitting a half-century when Pakistan hosted England.

Shan Masood anchors the innings with his reliable technique and tactical acumen.

The middle-order boasts the in-form Kamran Ghulam. Ghulam hit a century against England at home The stylish Saud Shakeel will help build partnerships and accelerate when needed. He has 826 runs in his last ten Test matches, including a knock of 134 against England in his last Test match. Mohammad Rizwan is a vital cog in the middle-order batting. He is capable of dealing with pressure effectively.

The all-rounder slot is solidified by Salman Agha. He is a solid batter and reliable off-spinner. He showed his quality with a Test half-century in the second Test against England. Aamer Jamal provides pace and seam bowling prowess.

The fiery pace of Naseem Shah and skilful swing of Mohammad Abbas makes this a lethal pace attack on a pitch with seam and bounce. The spin department is in the capable hands of left-arm spinner Noman Ali.

He has an impressive 30 Test wickets across his last four Tests, with both a three-fer and four-fer in his last Test. He took 11 wickets versus England in the second Test.

Pakistan Expected Playing 11

SA vs PAK Toss Prediction

The weather could dictate what both captains want out of the toss. With damp and wet conditions at the beginning, both captains may prefer to bowl first. This would favour their strong seam bowling lineups too.

Pitch and Conditions

You can expect seam and bounce on the Centurion pitch. With dampish conditions expected throughout the match, the seamers may be troublesome with a bit of extra movement off the surface and in the air with the new ball. Batters will need to be cautious for the initial part of their innings before the pitch dries up and run-scoring becomes easier. A first innings score around the 300-run mark could be a competitive total.

Rainy weather looks likely to have a say throughout the Test match. There is rain scheduled for each of the days of play. There is a 30 percent chance of rain to start with on day one. That percentage drifts from 45 percent on days two and three to 35 percent on days four and five. Temperatures will largely be warm and humid.

SA vs PAK Betting Tips

The results in the T20I and ODI legs of this tour set the scene for an enthralling Test series. This is an important Test for South Africa specifically because they have a massive opportunity to gain direct qualification to the ICC World Test Championship Final.

The contest is going to be between the bowling units of both teams on a pitch that will provide them plenty of assistance. We have no doubt that this will be a match that moves very quickly and it might be the superior South African batting lineup that helps them get the edge.

Bet on South Africa to win.