Pakistan search for positives after South Africa complete Test series sweep

In spite of the tourists’ resistance in the second match, South Africa eased to a 10-wicket victory in the series opener against Pakistan in Cape Town.

Forced to follow on 421 runs behind on the first innings, Pakistan battled to 478 all out. However, South Africa, who qualified for the World Test Championship final last week, was able to defeat a late-Monday target of 58, with ease.

On the fourth day of the match, South Africa won with a score of 44 not out of 30 balls.

In place of Ryan Rickelton, who had a hamstring strain in the first inning of South Africa’s 615 innings and had scored 259, Bedingham started.

Captain Shan Masood led Pakistan’s fightback, scoring 145.

In light of the outcome, Masood said he thinks Pakistan will have better days ahead because they were able to hold their own for a while in difficult circumstances.

“There were lots of good things]in the series]”, Masood said. “Knowing we did really well]in Pretoria] but didn’t close it out. Even here, we didn’t start off well with ball and bat.

” We conceded too many runs initially, then we folded with the bat]in their first innings] on a really nice surface. But then the fightback, we made our highest score against South Africa in Test cricket. Individually, people stepped up. “

Masood fell to the second new ball, trapped leg before wicket by 18-year-old debutant Kwena Maphaka.

Saud Shakeel was caught at second slip for 23 before being dismissed three balls later, ending a 51-run fourth-wicket stand.

After the double blow, Pakistan was still 92 runs in arrears despite Saim Ayub having a broken ankle while fielding on the first morning.

However, before the innings was done, Aamer Jamal hit a quick 34 and Mohammad Rizwan (41) and Salman Agha (48) put on 88 for the sixth wicket.

A calm pitch gave bowlers in South Africa hardly any assistance.

Left-arm spinner Keshav Maharaj, who had been expected to be a major factor on a fourth-day pitch, achieved minimal spin and toiled for 45 overs to take three for 137.

Masood will beg the tourists’ constant pursuit of the game given that their team allowed South Africa to score a massive 615 in their opening innings.

Pakistan have recently played well in trouble, but they have also performed poorly under pressure. Not that this is new. Mission hopes to maintain consistency in their upcoming two-test home series against the West Indies, which begins on January 17.

” We need to learn how to win the crucial moments, “Masood said”. We bounced back well against England]to win the series 2-1 in October]. With our backs against the wall, we did well.

“But we must become better at delivering the first punch. Many young cricketers are eager to learn, and luckily, we advance to another series against West Indies.

In addition, South Africa will have won seven straight games, which would be the second-most successful run in their history, to advance to the Test championship final against Australia at Lord’s Cricket Ground in London in June.