South Africarising star, Corbin Boschdelivered a breathtaking debut performance to take control of the first Test two game series vs Pakistan at SuperSport Park. Bosch, batting at No. 9, was instrumental in his unbeaten 81 off 93 balls, the highest ever score by a debutant in that position in Test cricket.. His innings turned South Africa’s modest lead into a 90-run advantage as the hosts were bowled out for 301 in reply to Pakistan’s 211.
Corbin Bosh’s heroics on debut propel South Africa to dominance
Bosch’s innings was laced with 15 fine boundaries, showcasing his ability to combine technical precision with aggressive intent. His remarkable knock came under immense pressure after the team lost successive wickets, leaving the innings precariously at 213-8. The match swung decisively in South Africa’s favor thanks to Bosch’s lower order partnerships. He added 41 runs first Kagiso Rabada (13), steadied the ship after the collapse of the middle innings and then extended the lead by 47 runs with the last man. Dane Paterson (12).
Bosch batted with flair and confidence, producing a wide range of strokes that visibly frustrated the Pakistani bowlers. His ability to find gaps with accurate cover drives and pull shots highlighted his batting prowess. Despite being a fast bowler, Bosch’s first-class batting average of over 40 proved his ability to step up in a critical situation. Bosch’s bowling contributions were equally impressive as he finished with impressive first innings figures of 4/63.. His blistering pace and accuracy troubled the Pakistanis during the batting.
Pakistan is stumbling in the face of South Africa’s leadership
The South African bowlers built on Bosch’s heroics by putting Pakistan under huge pressure in their second innings. By the end of the 2nd day’s play the visitors were struggling at 88/3still trailing by two runs. Opening pair Saim Ayub (28) and captain Shan Masoud (28) He provided a positive start by counter-attacking South Africa’s formidable pace attack with a 49-run opening stand. However, Pakistan’s progress was derailed as they lost three wickets for just 25 runs in deteriorating light conditions. Kagiso Rabada provided the breakthrough, dismissing Ayub with a blistering performance that sent him back off stump.
Marco Jansen He further tightened South Africa’s grip by dismissing Masud and the leading run-scorer in the first innings. Kamran Ghulam (8) in sequence. Jansen made brilliant use of the murky conditions, finding the outside edges of both batters with well-directed deliveries to slip and crack respectively. Pakistan’s hopes are now on Babar Azam (16 did not come out) and Saud Shakil Some resistance before bad light (8 not out) brought an early end to the day’s play. With relentless pressure from South Africa’s bowlers, the visitors face an uphill task to restore parity in the match.
Also WATCH: Khurram Shahzad brilliantly gets rid of Tony de Zorzi on Day 1 of Boxing Day Test – SA vs PAK
South Africa is recovering from a mid-level collapse
Earlier, South Africa’s strong stand came after they overcame a worrying collapse in the first innings. The team was cruising at 178/4 Nasim Shah reduced them to 213/8, leading to a dramatic slide. Naseem bowled over 10 spells in the marathon to claim three crucial wickets, including the prized scalp of the opener. Aiden MarkramIt showed the highest result with 89 points. Markram got to one leg, missing what would have been his eighth Test century. Cheers Prince to the goalkeeper Mohammad Rizvan. His dismissal left South Africa’s middle order vulnerable with the captain Temba Bavuma (31) and David Bedingham (30) also fails to convert its origins.
Bavuma and Markram had earlier stabilized the innings with a 70-run fourth wicket stand. But Bavuma’s dismissal kicked the ball wide at length Amer Jamalopened the floodgates for Pakistani bowlers. Bedingham counter-attacked shortly after, smashing five boundaries in his 33-ball knock, but Naseem’s extra bounce proved too difficult to handle as Bedingham hit first slip sharply before lunch. South Africa’s collapse swung the momentum back to Pakistan until Bosch’s late-order heroics turned the tide in dramatic fashion.
Bosh’s counter-attacks, along with Paterson’s solid batting, not only widened the margin but also demoralized Pakistan’s bowling attack. Paterson showed off his batting skills by hitting straight sixes off the bouncer Muhammad Abbas (1/79), who made a comeback after three years. Although Bosch may have had a memorable debut century, his contribution ensured that South Africa remained firmly in their side of Pakistan’s second innings.
Here’s Twitter’s reaction:
Corbin Bosch became the first Proteas player to score 50 points on debut with 4 goals 🔥 pic.twitter.com/7XR9kzwDrG
— Werner (@Werries_) December 27, 2024
Half century on debut!😃
A fairytale start to Corbin Bosch’s Test match career for the Proteas.🏏🇿🇦✨#Come with me#BeHisSide #SAvPAK pic.twitter.com/emg6guuLfp
— Proteas Men (@ProteasMenCSA) December 27, 2024
This Corbin Bosch debut is better than Consta’s
— absy (@absycric) December 27, 2024
It’s an absolute shame that average players like Bjorn Fortuin and Phehlukwayo continue to outshine superior players like Corbin Bosch and George Linde.
— Vishal (@Fanpointofviews) December 27, 2024
Dreams delayed are not dreams denied.
A special couple of weeks and 4 wickets for Corbin Bosch and his family and now how special was it to score a boxing day 50 on his test debut? Totally special. Dreams come true.@ProteasMenCSA#SAVPAK pic.twitter.com/QD84LOaUGA— Matthew Bauer (@MB5Plug) December 27, 2024
This Corbin Bosch performance is proof that selection is not a linear thing. Numbers don’t always tell everything, and sometimes gut feeling trumps numbers. South African colors had an incredible week with Bosch.
— Philasande Psychaba (@psixaba) December 27, 2024
Corbin Bosch played in the Caribbean Premier League for two seasons. He looked a decent cricketer. Good to see his memorable Test Debut.
– Ian Raphael Bishop (@irbishi) December 27, 2024
Debutants who made noise in the Boxing Day Test.
Sam Konstas (65 off 60) Corbin Bosch (4/63 and 46-ball fifty) pic.twitter.com/jfRTKkOviW
— Silly Point (@FarziCricketer) December 27, 2024
Corbin Bosch
First South African to score 4 wickets and fifty on Test debut.
Dream debut!
— Dale (@ncakos316) December 27, 2024
50 for Corbin Bosch on his test match debut to go with 4 wickets in the 1st innings!!!
It plays very wellALL THE BEST 🔥🔥
The brother is sealing a place in this team 👌…. going nowhere!! #SAvPAK #CricketTwitter pic.twitter.com/BFHZxsKyzg
— Lawrence Bailey ⚪ 🇿🇦 (@LawrenceBailey0) December 27, 2024
Corbin Bosch cemented his position in the side.
— JR (@Rasimione) December 27, 2024
Girl Test fifty for Corbin Bosch 👏🏏#cricket #CorbinPosch #SAvPAK pic.twitter.com/bLgqptS7qM
— CricketTimes.com (@CricketTimesHQ) December 27, 2024
