South Africa collapses to 116-8 against Pakistan as fast bowler Abbas shines in 1st Test

South Africa collapses to Pakistan's Mohammad Abbas on Day 4, inching closer to first Test win in 18 years.

South Africa collapsed to 116-8 against Pakistan as fast bowler Mohammad Abbas ran riot on Day 4 of the first Test with the tourists closing in on their first Test win in South Africa in 18 years on Sunday (December 29, 2024).

Abbas grabbed 6-43 on his return to Test cricket after more than three years and South Africa still needed 32 runs at lunch to seal a place in next year's World Test Championship final.

Tailenders Kagiso Rabada, unbeaten on 10, and Marco Jansen with 5 not out were fighting a grim battle for the home team against the relentless Abbas.

Captain Temba Bavuma's controversial dismissal punctuated a South Africa collapse as it lost four wickets for just three runs with Abbas grabbing three off his six balls.

Bavuma, who made 40, surprisingly didn't request a television review when replays suggested that Abbas' ball had brushed the batter's pocket and didn't make contact with the inside edge of the bat but the South African skipper walked back to the dressing room.

Abbas bowled an unchanged marathon spell of 13 overs but had to wait until Aiden Markram (37) and Bavuma saw off the testing first hour.

Resuming at a wobbly 27-3, with still 121 runs needed for victory, Bavuma and Markram showed plenty of patience against Abbas' probing line and length before the fast bowler finally got the breakthrough after the first drinks break.