South Africa vs Pakistan 1st Test Day 4: Proteas Edge Thriller to Qualify for WTC Final 2025

South Africa vs Pakistan 1st Test Day 4: Here at day four of the first Test between South Africa and Pakistan at SuperSport Park, Centurion, on Sunday, the South African batting line-up let down but, eventually, it went on to win the game with two wickets to spare with the batting prowess of Marco Jansen and Kagiso Rabada.

Mohammad Abbas bowled well, but again Pakistan could not win the match, but just a shade small, making hosts-now qualified for the WTC Final 2025. Catch the highlights of Day 4 of the first Test match of the two-match series between South Africa and Pakistan, right here.

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Temba Bavuma's South Africa on Sunday sealed their qualification for the World Test Championship (WTC) final to be held at Lord's Cricket Ground, London, in June 2025. The Proteas qualified for the last match in the event by defeating Pakistan by two wickets in the first Test of a their last Test series. Set 148, the Proteas were always in a bit of bother at 99/8.

However, Kagiso Rabada (31*) and Marco Jansen (16*) ensured the hosts crossed the finish line this afternoon in Centurion in the second session on Day 4.

It was simple, as far as the two-Test series with Pakistan was concerned - only a match victory was enough for South Africa to get to the WTC finals. Besides that, the result of the second Test between South Africa and Pakistan will make no difference. South Africa now sits at the top of the table in the WTC standings.

This now heaps pressure on India and Australia, who have come face to face in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy. The two good men will now have to give their best possible effort to cement their place at the WTC final. Because the first Test has been won by South Africa over Pakistan, thus we are not seeing a repeat of 2023 WTC final: between India and Australia.

What do India and Australia have to do to qualify for the WTC final? After the draw, Rohit Sharma and co's points percentage dropped from 57.29 to 55.88. They are currently ranked third in the WTC standings, behind South Africa and Australia. Eight points separate the sides on the WTC standings.

The WTC table now has eight points separating Australia and India. With only this one match left after the Melbourne Test, India has its last game to bowl. Australia will have a total of three matches left-one with India and two away to Sri Lanka.

India and Australia strike out for a total draw of 228 points, giving added significance to both their head-to-head in Melbourne and Sydney.

India and Australia's World Test Championship final scenar­ios:

If India were to win the Test MCG and draw the series 2-2 with Australia's win in Sydney, India would end their WTC cycle with a total of 126 points and a 55.26 PCT. However, Australia can still outscore India with two draws or at least one win in Sri Lanka. If Australia also wins in Melbourne but loses in Sydney, the same case will be considered.

If India draw the test match at MCG and win the Sydney match, then they will also end this cycle on 130 points at a 57.01 index. Australia must beat Sri Lanka twice to be a contender for the WTC final, then.

If India loses the Melbourne Test but manages to save a draw in Sydney, then they will see Rohit Sharma and co. with a total of 118 points. It could at least be passed by Australia at the end of the series.

If there are draws in both Melbourne and Sydney, India will have 122 and a PCT of 53.50. Australia will then be required to win against Sri Lanka at least once to pip India and qualify for the final.

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Updated WTC standings:

• South Africa (Q) (PCT 66.67)
• Australia (PCT 58.89)
• India (PCT 55.88)
• New Zealand (PCT 48.21)
• Sri Lanka (PCT 45.45)
• England (PCT 43.18)
• Pakistan (PCT 30.30)
• Bangladesh (PCT 31.25)
• West Indies (PCT 24.24)

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