Pakistan will face South Africa in their first Test match on December 26, following a successful ODI series. This match, part of the WTC 2023-25, is crucial for both teams’ standings, significantly impacting India and Australia’s prospects. The match will be broadcast on Sports18 and streamed on JioCinema, starting at 1:30 PM IST.
On December 26, Pakistan will engage with South Africa in the first Test match of a two-match series at SuperSport Park in Centurion, following their recent 3-0 victory in the ODI series. This match is crucial as part of the World Test Championship (WTC) 2023-25, influencing the standings particularly for India and Australia, who are concurrently playing their fourth Test in Melbourne. South Africa, currently leading the WTC points table, requires wins in both Tests against Pakistan to solidify their position for the WTC final at Lord’s next year.
India’s prospects depend significantly on the outcomes of these Tests; if Pakistan manages to defeat South Africa, it would sustain India’s chances in the WTC race, given that they must also win against Australia. Pakistan recently secured a home series victory against England, while South Africa triumphed over Sri Lanka in a home series. Historically, South Africa holds a 15-6 advantage in head-to-head matches against Pakistan, with seven matches resulting in draws.
The first Test is set to commence at 1:30 PM IST, with the coin toss scheduled for 1:00 PM IST. In India, sports fans can watch the match live on Sports18, with streaming available through the JioCinema app and website. Both teams have announced their probable line-ups, indicating their readiness for this significant Test clash.
The upcoming Test series between South Africa and Pakistan is integral to the World Test Championship (WTC) 2023-25, which dictates the standings and future opportunities for teams vying for the final. The dynamics of this series will not only affect the teams involved but also have repercussions for India and Australia, whose performance is dependent on Pakistan’s success against South Africa. This context adds layers of competitiveness as both teams prepare to face each other, emphasizing the importance of this match within the broader framework of international cricket.
In summary, the first Test between South Africa and Pakistan is pivotal in impacting the WTC standings, particularly for India. The match is set to take place on December 26 at SuperSport Park, and fans can catch the action live on Sports18 and JioCinema. With both teams performing well in their recent outings, the contest promises to be engaging, with implications not only for the teams involved but for the larger context of the WTC race.
Original Source: www.livemint.com
