South Africa face Pakistan in the Boxing Day Test match in Centurion on Thursday. Here are the toss update and the playing XIs for the RSA Vs PAK, 1st Test cricket match
South Africa are up against Pakistan in the Boxing Day Test match at the SuperSport Park in Centurion on Thursday, 26th December 2024. Proteas men need just one more win to qualify for the final of the World Test Championship 2025. (Day 1 Blog | More Cricket News)
South Africa won the toss and have opted to field first in Centurion.
South Africa: Tony de Zorzi, Aiden Markram, Ryan Rickelton, Tristan Stubbs, Temba Bavuma(c), David Bedingham, Kyle Verreynne(w), Marco Jansen, Corbin Bosch, Kagiso Rabada, Dane Paterson
Pakistan: Shan Masood(c), Saim Ayub, Babar Azam, Kamran Ghulam, Mohammad Rizwan(w), Saud Shakeel, Salman Agha, Aamer Jamal, Naseem Shah, Khurram Shahzad, Mohammad Abbas
Mohammad Abbas is returning to the national side after three years. The 34-year-old needs just 10 more wickets to complete his 100 Test wickets. Khurram Shahzad and Naseem Shah will help him along with the all-rounder Aamer Jamal.
Mohammad Rizwan will be keeping the wickets for Pakistan. He led his team in the ODI clean sweep against the hosts. Captain Shan Masood is most likely to open the batting with the stylish left-handed batter Saim Ayub.
For South Africa, the seamer Corbin Bosch made his Test debut. He is well-known for his consistent 140kph deliveries. Kagiso Rabada, Marco Jansen and Dane Paterson will strengthen the seam-bowling attack of the hosts.
What Is Boxing Day?
The name is literally called as people on the day would receive a box of gifts to thank them for their work all year. Moreover, on December 26, the Boxing Day has been given a national holiday in the UK since 1871. It is said that during the Victorian era X'mas boxes were given to staff from their employers as a token of thanks for their work throughout the year.