Twitter Reactions: South Africa celebrate WTC final qualification by whitewashing Pakistan

Twitter Reactions: South Africa celebrate WTC final qualification by whitewashing Pakistan (Source: Twitter/X)

Pakistan showed a lot of fight with the bat on Day 4 of the second Test against South Africa at Newlands, Cape Town on Monday, January 6. However, the spirited effort only delayed the inevitable as the Proteas registered a comprehensive 10-wicket win.

Pakistan started Day 3 at the score of 213/1, with captain Shan Masood batting alongside nightwatchman Khurram Shahzad. The duo added 22 runs to the overnight score before Shahzad was dismissed by Marco Jansen. Kamran Ghulam joined his captain at the crease and they stitched a 43-run partnership off just 56 balls. Kagiso Rabada got the better of Ghulam with a beautiful incoming delivery that sneaked through bat and pad and hit the timber.

Saud Shakeel came out to the middle and got himself set at the crease by grinding it out in the middle alongside Masood. However, the duo were dismissed in consecutive overs by Rabada and Kwena Maphaka, respectively.

Mohammad Rizwan (41), Salman Ali Agha (48), and Aamer Jamal (34) could not convert their starts into substantial scores as Pakistan finished their innings after scoring 478. Rabada and Keshav Maharaj took three wickets apiece, while Marco Jansen chipped in with a couple. Meanwhile, Maphaka had only one wicket to show for his efforts.

South Africa needed just 58 runs to chase down in the fourth innings. They promoted David Bedingham to open the batting with Aiden Markram. The latter enjoyed his time at the non-striker’s end for most parts of the South African innings as Bedingham played a whirlwind knock of 47 not out off 30 balls, belting four boundaries and two sixes. Markram remained unbeaten on 14 off 13 balls as the Proteas raced to the target in just 7.1 overs.

This turns out to be South Africa’s seventh consecutive Test win. Ryan Rickelton, who scored a spectacular double-century in the first innings, won the Player of the Match award. Meanwhile, Marco Jansen was adjudged Player of the Series after finishing with 80 runs and 10 wickets.

Here’s how ‘X’ users reacted to South Africa’s win: