South Africa vs Pakistan: Live Streaming and Match Preview for 1st Test
Pakistan faces South Africa in the first Test of a vital series for the World Test Championship 2023-25, starting December 26 at SuperSport Park. The match’s outcome is crucial for both teams: South Africa seeks victory to ensure a place in the WTC final, and Pakistan’s success could aid India’s hopes in the tournament. Live coverage is available on Sports18 and JioCinema in India.
The Pakistan cricket team, riding high from a recent 3-0 ODI series victory over South Africa, is set to challenge the Proteas in the first Test of a two-match series on December 26 at SuperSport Park in Centurion. This match forms part of the World Test Championship (WTC) 2023-25, with implications that will likely affect the standings of other teams including India and Australia, who will be concurrently engaged in their fourth Test at Melbourne.
South Africa currently leads the WTC 2023-25 points table and requires a win in either of the upcoming Tests against Pakistan to solidify their position in the WTC final scheduled at Lord’s next year. For India, the outcomes of these Tests are crucial as they depend on Pakistan winning either match, which would sustain India’s aspirations for a WTC final berth, provided they also secure victory against Australia.
Prior to this Test, Pakistan achieved a 2-1 series win over England on home soil, bouncing back after an initial defeat. Conversely, South Africa, led by Temba Bavuma, recently completed a 2-0 series victory over Sri Lanka at home. Historically, South Africa has the upper hand in Test matches against Pakistan with a record of 15 wins compared to Pakistan’s 6, alongside 7 drawn matches.
The anticipated match will feature key players from both sides: for South Africa, names such as Kagiso Rabada, Temba Bavuma, and Ryan Rickelton will be essential, while Pakistan’s roster includes Shan Masood, Babar Azam, and Mohammad Rizwan. The match is scheduled to begin at 1:30 PM IST, following a coin toss at 1:00 PM IST. In India, live coverage will be accessible through Sports18 channels, with live streaming available on the JioCinema app and website.
The article discusses the upcoming Test match between South Africa and Pakistan as part of the World Test Championship (WTC) 2023-25. It highlights the significance of this series for both teams; South Africa is aiming to secure their place in the WTC final, while Pakistan’s success is crucial for India’s chances of qualifying. This context is vital as cricket fans are keenly interested in how the results may influence international cricket standings and qualifications.
In summary, the first Test match between South Africa and Pakistan marks an important chapter in the World Test Championship. With several outcomes dependent on this series, especially regarding the WTC final qualifications for South Africa and its implications for India, the match promises to be a pivotal encounter for all teams involved. The anticipation surrounding the match, given the historical performance and recent results, sets the stage for a thrilling competition.
Original Source: www.livemint.com
