SA vs PAK | Twitter reacts to Jansen six-fer keeps South Africa ahead as Pakistan aim miraculous fourth day

ByArijit Kundu, SportsCafe Editor

Yesterday at 9:50 PM

South Africa needs 121 runs with seven wickets in hand to go one-up in the first Test and solidify their chances to top in the World Test Championship. Marco Jansen’s six-fer reduced Pakistan to 237 but the Pakistan pacers matched their intensity by extracting three quick scalps before Stumps.

Overnight batters Babar Azam and Saud Shakeel batted with a defensive mindset after a long delay at the start of the third day’s play due to rain. The pair capitalised on any looseners and added 79 runs together before Babar holed out to Corbin Bosch in the deep. Marco Jansen bowled a ruthless spell in the middle, removing Mohammad Rizwan and Salman Ali Agha to claim a fifer. A brief 32 runs stand followed before Aamer Jamal and Nassem Shah departed at the cusp of Tea with 212/8 on board.

Right after, Shakeel was done for 82 by a nothing delivery from Jansen. Mohammad Abbas followed suit in quick time as Pakistan managed 237 runs on board. In response, South Africa got off to a poor start as they lost three quick wickets with Aiden Markram scoring 22 of the 27 runs on board. They’re still 121 runs behind with seven wickets left as Markram and Temba Bavuma will resume proceedings on the fourth day.

Pressureeee!

Saved by the light... for now!

The proteas struggling against quality bowling. Speaks volumes about the lack of swing on the domestic scene, top order looked inept.

Hopefully Temba and Aiden can put their hands up tomorrow!#SAvsPAK #CricketTwitter #BoxingDayTest
— BoiMaam (@BoiMaamGG) December 28, 2024

Thrillling game awaits!

What a thrilling situation! South Africa just needs to hold their nerve and push through for those 121 runs to make it to the WTC final. Pakistan's bowlers are in for a tough challenge. Can't wait to see how this unfolds! 🇿🇦🏏 #SAvsPAK
— The Academic Muse (@HasmeKamal) December 28, 2024

Great one!

What a come back 🇵🇰👏

.#INDvAUS #INDvsAUS #AUSvIND #AUSvINDIA #AUSvsIND #Australia #India #Kohli #ViratKohli𓃵 #SAvsPAK #PAKvsSA #PAKvSA #Cricket #TestCricket pic.twitter.com/l9evZ4DVB7
— AD Choudhary (@adchoudhray) December 28, 2024

LOL!

Hello, Team Pakistan please don’t change your mood tomorrow. Keep maintaining the pressure and keep taking the wickets.😊#SAvsPak
— Aalia Rasheed (@aaliaaaliya) December 28, 2024

Big day tomorrow!

Stumps on Day 3 due to bad light! 🌒

🇿🇦 South Africa 27/3, need 121 runs to win.

The only good news for SA is that Markram is still at the crease. 🔥

A brilliant Day 4 awaits! 🏏#PAKvSA | #PAKvsSA | #SAvPAK | #SAvsPAK pic.twitter.com/UrVOVslXHl
— Zain Cric (@Zain_Cric) December 28, 2024

IYKYK!

Common South Africa don’t choke #SAvsPAK Cricket
— Jayesh Veeraraghavan (@JayeshRaghavan) December 28, 2024

Great reviews!

Two successful Reviews taken by the skipper Shan Masood 👍🏼🏏💯✅️#SAVSPAK #PakistanCricket #BabarAzam #MuhammadRizwan #SalmanAliAgha #SaimAyub #ShanMasood #WTC25 pic.twitter.com/a9y3q95w9K
— Sitarah Anjum Official (@SitarahAnjum) December 28, 2024

May be try it out!

I think inswinger will do the trick for Markram.

Outswing, outswing, outswing and then a booming inswinger???

Can Abbas do it? #SAvsPAK
— maddy (@224notout) December 28, 2024

Gotta wait on it!