The Boxing Day Test at SuperSport Park in Centurion kicked off with all the drama and excitement one expects from a high-stakes cricket match between South Africa and Pakistan. The day began with both teams eager to assert dominance, but it was Pakistan’s Khurram Shahzad who stole the early limelight with a delivery that would be talked about for days.

Khurram Shahzad’s stunning dismissal of Tony de Zorzi

In a moment that encapsulated the beauty of Test cricket, Shahzad dismissed South African opener Tony de Zorzi with a delivery that can only be described as a ‘beauty’. Shahzad, known for his ability to swing the ball, produced an in-swinging delivery that deceived De Zorzi, straightening just enough after pitching to beat his defensive shot and crash into the stumps. This early breakthrough for Pakistan, with De Zorzi scoring just 2 runs, set the tone for what would be a challenging day for the South African batting line-up.

Here is the video:

pic.twitter.com/QmlkkhgBcV

— Crickistan Media (@Crickistanmedia) December 26, 2024

Also READ: Twitter reactions: South Africa rule Day 1 in Centurion as Dane Paterson and Corbin Bosch devastate Pakistan’s batting

A day of fast bowling and tactical nuances

Notably, the opening day was dominated by fast bowling from both sides, with the pitch offering enough assistance to keep the batters on their toes. Pakistan, choosing to bat first, were bowled out for 211, thanks to a fantastic bowling display by South Africa.

Dane Paterson was the pick of the bowlers with figures of 5 for 62, supported by Corbin Bosch, who on his debut grabbed 4 wickets. Kamran Ghulam‘s fighting 54 was the highlight for Pakistan, providing some resistance in the middle order.

In reply, South Africa’s innings didn’t start as planned, losing two early wickets to Shahzad’s pace and precision. However, Aiden Markram‘s unbeaten 47 helped stabilize the innings alongside Temba Bavuma, as South Africa closed the day at 82 for 3, still trailing by 129 runs. The day’s play set up a fascinating contest, with both teams showing they could capitalize on conditions and fight back when cornered.

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