South Africas 18-Year Wait Ends in Style Against Pakistan

South Africa, the defending champions in the WTC, have started to end their wait yet again. The team went against Pakistan for a two-match Test series to start its new campaign. Ending the series on a positive note, the team grabbed its first Test win in Pakistan in 18 years.

South Africa secured a historic victory over Pakistan in the two-match Test series. After losing the first Test, the team decided to script its comeback in the second match. The team ended up winning the game by 8 wickets,

Moreover, this was a historic win for the South African team in this series. It was their first-ever Test win in Pakistan against Pakistan in 18 years. With their last win in Pakistan coming in 2007, the wait has been longer for the defending champions than they could have expected.

1. Pakistan vs South Africa, 2nd Test: 2025

During the South Africa tour of Pakistan, the visiting team did not have a good start. They had lost the first Test match, and this meant that the second game would be important for the team. South Africa had to win this game to ensure that they are able to level the series and not lose the same. Asif Afridi made his debut for Pakistan, being the second oldest in this century

This match was being played at Rawalpindi, as Pakistan won the toss and decided to bat first. Considering the batter-friendly pitch conditions, it was a favourable decision for the team. Pakistan had a great start to the first innings, as they took advantage of the home ground.

Even against the strong line-up of South Africa, the team posted 333 runs in the first innings. This was a commendable total for them in the first innings, as Abdullah Shafique (57), Shan Masood (87), and Saud Shakeel (66), scored half-centuries. At this point, the team was not ready for the carnage South Africa would bring in its first innings.

, Tony de Zorzi and Tristan Stubbs had a great stand for the 3rd wicket. Zorzi scored 76 runs, while Stubbs got out after scoring 55. Later in the middle order, Senuran Muthusamy stood till the end and smashed 89 runs for the team. Keshav Maharaj was able to score 30, and the team had less hope of taking a lead with Maharaj’s wicket falling.

But Kagiso Rabada scored 71 runs off 61 balls, allowing South Africa to end their innings at 404, with a lead of 71 runs. Now, for Pakistan's second innings, South Africa decided to dominate with the ball. And this time, their attack was led by Simon Harmer, who took 6 wickets and conceded just 50 runs in 20 overs. Pakistan was able to score just 138 runs

South Africa had the target of 68 runs, which was easily chased by the team. Ryan Rickelton and Aiden Markram gave a good start, after which the team lost two quick wickets. But eventually, Rickelton finished the game with a six, marking their first win against Pakistan in Pakistan in 18 years.

2. Pakistan vs South Africa, 1st Test: 2007

South Africa had its last win against Pakistan in Pakistan during the 2007 tour. In the first Test, which was being played in Karachi, the team was sent to bat first. And this decision came out in favor of a great extent. South Africa posted a mammoth total of 450 runs in the first innings of the game.

Jacques Kallis was the top scorer of the team with 155 runs, as Herschelle Gibbs (54), Hashim Amla (71), and AB de Villiers (77) also contributed well. Pakistan was not able to respond well to this score, as the team was all out for just 291 runs in its first innings. Paul Harris took 5 wickets, as Dale Steyn and Andre Nel took 2 wickets each. From Pakistan, only Shoaib Malik was able to score a half-century.

South Africa started its second innings with a lead of 159 runs. The team further went on to score 264 runs for the loss of 7 wickets before declaring the same. Jacques Kallis once again scored a century in this innings, while no other batsman from the team managed to score even a half-century. Pakistan now had a massive target of 424 runs to chase, if they wanted to win the game.

But it was not going to be easy for them, considering the strong form of the Proteas. As a result, the team got all out for 263 runs. Younis Khan remained the lone warrior of the team, scoring 126 runs off 160 balls. For South Africa, Dale Steyn took a five-wicket haul, which helped the team to win by 160 runs.