the Boxing day test between South Africa and Pakistan At SuperSport Park in Centurion, he took a dramatic turn on the fourth day when the veteran Pakistani seamer, Muhammad Abbashanded over what could be considered one of the match balls. Abbas, who returned to Test cricket after a three-year hiatus, dismantled the South African opener Aiden Markram With a delivery that was both crafty and precise, highlighting his remarkable comeback.
The delivery that changed the rules of the game: Mohamed Abbas takes off Aiden Markram
The moment came just after the drinks break on day four, with South Africa needing 148 runs to secure victory and a place in the 2023-25 World Test Championship (WTC) final. Markram, who was the backbone of South Africa's chase with a well-made 37, was undone by Abbas' mastery of the sticky ball. The delivery, placed just outside off, dropped sharply, kept low, and cut through the Markram defense to trouble the woods. The ball was so good that even Markram, after the initial shock, could not help but acknowledge Abbas's bowling brilliance.
Abbas silences his critics with tailoring prowess
This dismissal was a testament to Abbas's skill, especially in light of his reputation for precision rather than raw speed. Known for his ability to play long overs and extract movement from even the most unresponsive pitches, Abbas's return to the Pakistani Test side was marked by skepticism from some who preferred speed over his consistent line and length. However, this delivery, and indeed his entire spell in this Test, silenced those doubts.
Abbas's celebrations were intense; His reaction after the dismissal was one of pure happiness mixed with relief, a sign of how important this moment was to him after years outside the team.
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also Watch: Khurram Shehzad gets rid of Tony De Zorzi with his beauty on the first day of the Boxing Day test – SA vs PAK
Pakistan is resisting
This wicket brought Pakistan back into contention, reducing South Africa to 62 for 4, still needing 86 runs for victory. The match was well balanced from the early stages, with South Africa looking to capitalize on a modest goal scored by Pakistan in the second half. However, Abbas's intervention changed the dynamic and showed that Pakistan was still capable of fighting despite its previous conflicts.
Notably, after Markram's dismissal, Abbas conceded three more hits and reduced the home team to 116/8 at lunch, with the home team still needing 32 runs to win.
