Bosch and Paterson Spark Pakistan's Collapse in Opening Session
A dramatic first session on Day One at SuperSport Park saw Pakistan’s top order crumble after a solid start, as debutant Corbin Bosch and Dane Paterson triggered a swift collapse. The visitors, who weathered a fiery opening spell from Kagiso Rabada and Marco Jansen, were 36 for 0 at drinks, but after the break, Bosch struck with his first ball in Test cricket, setting the stage for a devastating 4-wicket slide for just 20 runs in 4.3 overs.
Temba Bavuma’s decision to bowl in overcast conditions nearly paid off immediately as Rabada found Shan Masood’s outside edge and beat Saim Ayub multiple times, while Jansen also posed problems. However, Pakistan survived the early onslaught and reached drinks without losing a wicket.
After the break, Bosch's debut brilliance turned the tide. Masood’s loose drive on the first ball he faced from Bosch was caught at gully by Jansen, and two balls later, Paterson sent Ayub packing with a perfect delivery that found the faintest of edges. Pakistan’s early solidity vanished as Babar Azam pushed at one wide delivery and guided it to second slip, leaving the visitors reeling at 56 for 3.
Saud Shakeel, who had been calm at the crease, was undone by a short ball from Bosch, gloving it down the leg side. With Pakistan in deep trouble at 56 for 4, a counter-attacking partnership between Mohammad Rizwan and Kamran Ghulam ensured the visitors avoided further damage before lunch. The pair put on a vital 32-run stand, with Ghulam unbeaten on 23 as Pakistan reached 88 for 4 at the break.
The collapse was a reminder of the challenge Pakistan's young and inexperienced batting line-up faces against top-tier bowling. Despite the early jitters, the hosts were buoyed by their bowlers' intensity, particularly Bosch, whose pace and bounce on debut injected much-needed momentum into South Africa's attack. Paterson also stood out with his ability to make the ball talk, both in the air and off the pitch.
Pakistan's middle order will have to show resilience in the second session if they are to mount a competitive total. The visitors' struggles against seam and swing will need to be addressed, especially as the pitch at Centurion is expected to offer continued assistance to the quicks throughout the day.
