Sports

RSA Vs PAK, 1st Test Day 3: South Africa Lose Three Early Wickets In Pursuit Of 148-Run Target

South Africa's top-order stumbled against Pakistan's pace attack as the first Test headed towards an exciting finish after Marco Jansen's six-wicket haul had helped set the home team a tricky 148-run target in Centurion on Saturday (December 28). The Proteas, needing a win in one of the two matches against Pakistan to seal their place in next June's World Test Championship final, wobbled to 27-3 at stumps on a wicket where the quick bowlers have consistently troubled the batters. Fast bowler Mohammad Abbas, returning to Test cricket after more than three years, trapped Tony de Zorzi (2) and Tristan Stubbs (1) lbw in the final session.

Pakistan South Africa Cricket
South Africa Pakistan Cricket | Photo: AP/Themba Hadebe

Rain delays the start of day three of the Test cricket match between South Africa and Pakistan, at the Centurion Park, in Centurion, South Africa.

1/9
South Africa Pakistan Cricket
Pakistan South Africa Cricket | Photo: AP/Themba Hadebe

Pakistan's Babar Azam blocks the ball during day three of the Test cricket match between South Africa and Pakistan, at the Centurion Park in Centurion, South Africa.

2/9
Pakistan vs South Africa 1st test Day 3
South Africa Vs Pakistan 1st test Day 3 | Photo: AP/Themba Hadebe

Pakistan's Saud Shakeel plays a high ball during day three of the Test cricket match between South Africa and Pakistan, at the Centurion Park, in Centurion, South Africa.

3/9
South Africa Vs Pakistan 1st test Day 3
Pakistan vs South Africa 1st test Day 3 | Photo: AP/Themba Hadebe

South Africa's Kagiso Rabada follows through his delivery during day three of the Test cricket match between South Africa and Pakistan, at the Centurion Park, in Centurion, South Africa.

4/9
PAK vs SA 1st test Day 3
SA vs PAK 1st test Day 3 | Photo: AP/Themba Hadebe

South Africa's Marco Jansen, center, celebrates with his teammates after dismissing Pakistan's Babar Azam for 50 runs during day three of the Test cricket match between South Africa and Pakistan, at the Centurion Park in Centurion, South Africa.

5/9
SA vs PAK 1st test Day 3
PAK vs SA 1st test Day 3 | Photo: AP/Themba Hadebe

Pakistan's Mohammad Rizwan reacts after playing a short ball during day three of the Test cricket match between South Africa and Pakistan, at the Centurion Park in Centurion, South Africa.

6/9
Pakistan vs South Africa 1st test Day 3
South Africa Vs Pakistan 1st test Day 3 | Photo: AP/Themba Hadebe

Pakistan's Mohammad Rizwan, left, leaves the crease after being dismissed by South Africa's Marco Jansen, for 3 runs during day three of the Test cricket match between South Africa and Pakistan, at the Centurion Park in Centurion, South Africa.

7/9
Pakistan South Africa Cricket
South Africa Pakistan Cricket | Photo: AP/Themba Hadebe

South Africa's Tony de Zorzi, center, reacts after being dismissed on LBW by Pakistan's Mohammad Abbas, for 2 runs during day three of the Test cricket match between South Africa and Pakistan, at the Centurion Park in Centurion, South Africa.

8/9
South Africa Pakistan Cricket
Pakistan South Africa Cricket | Photo: AP/Themba Hadebe

Pakistan's Khurram Shahzad, left, and his teammates celebrate a wicket of South Africa's Ryan Rickelton during day three of the Test cricket match between South Africa and Pakistan, at the Centurion Park in Centurion, South Africa.

9/9
South Africa vs Pakistan 1st Test Day 3 at Centurion cricket match photos: Mohammad Abbas
SA vs PAK 1st Test Day 3: Pakistan's Mohammad Abbas celebrates Tristan Stubbs's wicket | Photo: AP/Themba Hadebe

Pakistan's Mohammad Abbas, left, celebrates with teammates after successfully appealing for LBW against South Africa's Tristan Stubbs during day three of the Test cricket match between South Africa and Pakistan, at the Centurion Park in Centurion, South Africa.

CLOSE