In the first test between Pakistan and South Africa at Centurion, captains from both the sides created a new world record. For the very first time in the history both the captains’ bagged pair in the boxing day test.
Pakistan captain Sarfaraz Ahmed and South African captain Faf du Plessis scored ducks in both the innings. This happened the first time in the history of test cricket.
Pair in both the innings created problems for Sarfaraz Ahmed as he is under the radar now. He might resign from test captaincy if Pakistan loses the series. Pakistan has already lost the first match.
Faf made his test debut in 2012 against Australia. Since then he played 55 tests and scored 3302 runs with an average of 41.27. He has 8 centuries and 17 half-centuries to his name. He scored 9 ducks in his career including one pair.
#ExtraaaStat | This the first time in the history of Test cricket that both the captains – Sarfraz Ahmed and Faf du Plessis bagged a pair in the same Test.#SAvPAK #SPNSports
— SPN- Sports (@SPNSportsIndia) December 28, 2018
Sarfaraz Ahmed made his Test debut two years before Faf but played less number of matches than Faf. He only played 47 tests and in 82 innings scored 2545 runs with an average of 36.88. He scored 3 centuries and 16 half centuries. He scored 3 ducks in his career including one pair.
Despite showing good bowling, Pakistan kept their tradition alive of stumbling while batting. Pakistan winning the toss failed to capitalize and failed miserably.
Pakistan batting first got out on 181 runs with Babar Azam being the top scorer with 71 runs. Sarfaraz in first innings played just 4 balls to get out on 0. Other than him, Imam ul Haq and Shaheen Shan Afridi also got a duck.
South Africa in their first innings got out on 223 runs taking a lead of 42 runs. Pakistani bowlers bowled well to restrict Proteas on a low score. South African captain Faf du Plessis got out on 0 on his first ball. young pacer Shaheen Shah Afridi got this valuable wicket.
Temba Bavuma was going good but right then Shaheen got rid of him in the 48th over. Shaheen Afridi bagged 4 wickets in his first away series.
Mohammad Amir in his comeback game took 4 wickets which will for sure boost Amir’s confidence. Also, the pitch favored pacers and Pakistani bowlers made most of it.
Pakistan had a good start in second innings but then followed the same old style and collapsed. South Africa easily bowled visitors out for 190 runs. This poor batting display turned the match in hosts’ favor wanting them 149 runs to win.
Shan Masood in second innings top scored with 65 runs. Captain Sarfaraz Ahmed once again scored a duck. Other than him, Azhar Ali and Yasir Shah also got out on a duck.
South Africa chased down the target for the loss of 4 wickets including one of their captain. Faf bagged a pair in the match by scoring a duck in second innings.
Interestingly 3 test matches were played on boxing day between Pakistan-South Africa, India- Australia and Sri Lanka- New Zealand. In these three matches, 18 players scored ducks with only Sarfaraz and Faf bagging pair.