Great Dane Paterson strikes as Pakistan crumble

Ongama Gcwabe|Published

Dane Paterson took a five-for as the Proteas stifled Pakistan’s batting order on Thursday during Day 1 of the first Test at SuperSport Park. | AFP

Pakistan: 209/9

Kamran Ghulam 54; Dane Paterson 5/61

Dane Paterson's second successive five-wicket haul and a four-wicket haul from debutant Corbin Bosch (4/65) saw South Africa restrict Pakistan for 209/9 runs inside two sessions on Day 1 of the first Test at SuperSport Park in Centurion.

Following his five-wicket haul at St George's Park in Gqeberha earlier this month, Paterson was rewarded with a spot in the starting XI for the Boxing Day Test and the 35-year-old repaid the faith with yet another five-for.

Similarly, on debut at 30 years of age due to the long list of injuries to the regular Proteas Test fast bowlers, Bosch grabbed his opportunity with both hands, claiming four wickets in his home ground.

However, it wasn't after a fight from Pakistan's Kamran Ghulam (54) and Mohammad Rizwan (27). The pair combined for an 81-run fifth-wicket partnership as it seemed Pakistan were on their way to a fight back of note having finished the first session in trouble on 88/4.

The pair feasted on Marco Jansen's lack of rhythm while surviving Kagiso Rabada's impeccable lines and lengths. Ghulam was the more audacious of the two, living on the knife's edge as he slashed on anything outside the off stump.

The 29-year-old reached the half-century mark off a dropped catch from Marco Jansen at gully off Rabada's bowling. However, his luck did not last long as he charged down the wicket off Paterson's bowling and swiped hard only to be safely caught by Rabada at fine leg as South Africa broke the partnership.

Paterson accounted for Rizwan as well, getting right-handed batter's outside edge straight to Jansen who redeemed his drop catch earlier. The Paterson-Bosch partnership seemed to be the lucky charm as Bosch claimed two more wickets in the second session, a tally of nine wickets between the two of them.

Though the two bowlers earned their returns, it was Rabada that had set the foundation superbly. Throughout the 14 overs that he bowled, Rabada posed serious threat but it was just not his day as the 29-year-old finished wicketless in the first innings with figures of 0/35.

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