After Centurion heartbreak, Pakistan seeks redemption against South Africa at Newlands Test

The second Test between South Africa and Pakistan is set to commence on January 3 at Newlands, Cape Town.

Following a nail-biting two-wicket loss in the first Test in Pretoria, Pakistan will be desperate to bounce back and level the series, while South Africa aims to extend their impressive home streak and fine-tune their preparations for the World Test Championship (WTC) final.

The aftermath of the first Test

Pakistan came agonizingly close to snatching victory at Centurion. After reducing South Africa to 99/8 while defending a modest target of 148, Pakistan failed to seal the deal as Marco Jansen and Kagiso Rabada’s resilience guided the Proteas to a thrilling win.

Pakistan’s Mohammad Abbas looks on as his career best 6 for 54 went in vain during the first Test against South Africa in Centurion.AFP

Reflecting on the loss, Pakistan captain Shan Masood stressed the importance of being more clinical in critical moments: “We keep making the same mistakes, but we have to get over the line and seize moments. There are opportunities to gain an extra cushion, and we must finish off games with bat and ball.”

Masood’s words underline Pakistan’s frustration over missed opportunities. They must improve their execution if they are to end a 16-year drought in South Africa, where they have won just two of their 16 Tests, the last coming in 2007.

Conditions at Newlands

Newlands is expected to offer a challenging surface. Historically, the Cape Town wicket has favored pace bowlers, as evidenced by the low-scoring Test between South Africa and India 12 months ago that concluded in just two days.

Salman Ali Agha, while speaking to reporters on Wednesday, said, “Cape Town’s pitch looks different from Centurion’s, with slightly lesser grass. I expect to bowl in this game, but we’ll have to adjust accordingly.”

Changes in playing XIs

Despite Agha’s optimism, Pakistan’s management is unlikely to include a specialist spinner. They are expected to persist with a four-pacer strategy, with Salman providing part-time spin.

Pakistan’s pace attack impressed in the first Test, with Mohammad Abbas leading the way with a six-wicket haul in the second innings. Naseem Shah and Khurram Shehzad also performed admirably, while Aamer Jamal’s limited contribution—bowling only nine overs across two innings—raises questions about his inclusion in Cape Town. Left-arm seamer Mir Hamza is a strong contender to replace Jamal in the playing XI.

South Africa will give a debut to firebrand 18-year-old fast bowler Kwena Maphaka as one of three changes to their side.

Opening batter Tony de Zorzi has been ruled out with a left thigh strain and will be replaced by all-rounder Wiaan Mulder, who will bat at number three with Ryan Rickelton moving to the opener position.

Spinner Keshav Maharaj has recovered from injury and replaces seamer Corbin Bosch after the latter starred on debut in the tense two-wicket win during last week's first Test in Pretoria.

Maphaka has only bowled 60.5 overs in first class cricket and was writing his school exams a few months ago. He takes the place of Dane Paterson, who took 5-61 in the first innings at Centurion Park.

"We want to go with an extra bit of pace, even though Paterson has been superb for us," South Africa captain Temba Bavuma told reporters on Thursday.

"Whatever happens from a performance point of view, it will put him (Maphaka) in good stead. He will be looking forward to running in with Kagiso Rabada over the next few days.

"You want to allow him to be as free as you can... and allow the exuberance of youth to come out. It is a case of bowl as quick as you can.

"He does not have a foundation (of playing) first class cricket, and this is certainly not a trial for him, we know what his talent is all about."

Captain Temba Bavuma was emotional after South Africa sealed their spot in the WTC final in dramatic fashion.AFP

South Africa have already claimed their place in June’s World Test Championship final at Lord’s against as yet unconfirmed opponents, but Bavuma said they are fired up to close out the series against Pakistan and are not treating this as a dead rubber.

"The series is still on the line, it is not just a case of we ticked the box of being in the final," Bavuma said. "We still want to be clinical, we are eying 2-0. The focus is still there.

"As much as we won last week, we were not at our best with bat and ball and that is something to work on."

For Pakistan, this Test is crucial to salvage pride and build momentum for their upcoming assignments.

A packed Newlands crowd is expected, setting the stage for what could be another gripping chapter in this intriguing series.