Test Cricket Prediction and Discussion Thread [self - mod]

[Out of mind]

However, Pakistan's comeback in the second innings was completely unexpected. Pakistan, which could not score 200 runs after losing 10 wickets in the first innings, scored more than 200 runs in the second innings.

Pakistan has surprised everyone with their batting performance in the second innings. I was expecting them to lose the match by an innings, but now it looks like they will manage to take a lead. Still, their chance is almost zero to win the match or make a draw. I won't be surprised if Pakistan batting line-up collapse on day 4. They have to score 210 more runs to take a lead. Betting odds is 1.10× for South Africa now.

The way Pakistan batted in their first innings but Pakistan's batting in the second innings was opposite to the first innings. While South Africa ended the innings with 615 runs, Pakistan were bowled out for just 194 runs, meaning Pakistan started the second innings trailing by 418 runs in the first innings. These two batsmen, Babar Azam and Suad Shakeel, Shan Masood have made a partnership of about 205 runs, that is, if Pakistan can make such a big partnership for the second time, then it will not be too late for Pakistan to take the lead.

Okay, after batting badly in the first innings, their opening batsmen batted well in the second innings. However, the target of 615 runs in the first innings of South Africa, which disappointed the Pakistan team a lot because of such a big score. However, even though they were all out for 194 runs in the first innings, Babar Azam and Masood batted well to meet their target in the second innings. After the partnership of Masood and Babar Azam broke, Khurram Shahzad could not play for long. Masood's batting was great, he was out for 145 runs, after which all the other batsmen could not make a big partnership. Although until the last moment, the Pakistan team met the target and gave a lead of only 57 runs to South Africa, which this team was able to meet very easily, won by 10 wickets, and won the series.

[noormcs5]

Day 4 Pakistan vs South Africa innings. Pakistan is yet to trail 91 runs from 7 wickets. They can't recover the first-inning runs of South Africa. In this test match surely South Africa will win. Shan Masood is playing very nicely in this inning. He collects 145 runs. But in the first Innings, he contributes only 2 runs in the innings. Pakistan can't be happy for his bad performance. For that unhappiness, Shan Masood's perfect reply in this inning.

I think Pakistan did a good effort in this game as compared to the previous ones. Yes, I agree that they have lost this game. Pakistan were badly missing to their super star Saim Ayub, he had an injury and now he cannot even stand on his feet. But Babar Azam scored 81 runs which helped the Pakistan team a lot. Pakistan would not have got so many runs otherwise at a time the vibes were coming for them to be happy.
 
Ryan Rickelton was named player of the match as he scored 259 in a single innings. It gave a huge lead to South Africa and it made the difference. The series has finished.

[virasog]

Okay, after batting badly in the first innings, their opening batsmen batted well in the second innings. However, the target of 615 runs in the first innings of South Africa, which disappointed the Pakistan team a lot because of such a big score. However, even though they were all out for 194 runs in the first innings, Babar Azam and Masood batted well to meet their target in the second innings. After the partnership of Masood and Babar Azam broke, Khurram Shahzad could not play for long. Masood's batting was great, he was out for 145 runs, after which all the other batsmen could not make a big partnership. Although until the last moment, the Pakistan team met the target and gave a lead of only 57 runs to South Africa, which this team was able to meet very easily, won by 10 wickets, and won the series.

After a long time, finally we got Babar Azam good innings. He changed his bat from Grey Nicolls to CA, this bat proves lucky for him. In the first innings, he also scored half century and another time back to back two fifties. While Shan Masood also scored century here Shan Masood did not play with consistency, he is good player no doubt but he needs more consistency. Now that he has scored a century so I am pretty sure in the next 5 to 6 innings, he will not score.  David Bedingham and Aiden Markram built good partnership in the second innings.

[Mahdirakib]

I think this is the reason why Pakistan is called an unpredictable team, in the first innings the entire team will be bowled out at 194 and in the second innings, no wicket has fallen for 194 runs. Pakistan has low chances but they way Pakistan team comeback in second inning is outstanding performance from the batters.

Judging from the overall condition of the match, Pakistan players have batted pathetically in the first innings. Maybe they had lost their confidence by watching the big score of South Africa in first innings. Pakistan second innings performance was surprising, but it wasn't completely unpredictable. They should have performed like that in the first innings. The second test match ended as a one sided match.

[Haunebu]

Both Australia and South Africa have won their respective test series quite convincingly against India and Pakistan which is why they totally deserve to be the WTC final contenders.

I really, really hope South Africa can break their insane curse against Australia in big ICC tournaments by finally winning the WTC final. Excited!

[WatChe]

Judging from the overall condition of the match, Pakistan players have batted pathetically in the first innings. Maybe they had lost their confidence by watching the big score of South Africa in first innings. Pakistan second innings performance was surprising, but it wasn't completely unpredictable. They should have performed like that in the first innings. The second test match ended as a one sided match.

Pakistani bowlers gave away too many runs in first innings while Pakistan batting was so low in first innings that they have to face follow-on. Batters performance in second innings was good but damage done in first innings was huge. Shan Masood finally scored some runs along with Babar Azam. It's surprising that Babar Azam who is main batsmen for Pakistan was not able to score a first in his last ten test matches, stats for Shan Masood are also not much different. If PCB want to improve test performance then players like Shan Masood must be axed from the squad, who score a century or fifty once in a while.

[Cheema02]

Pakistan has surprised everyone with their batting performance in the second innings. I was expecting them to lose the match by an innings, but now it looks like they will manage to take a lead. Still, their chance is almost zero to win the match or make a draw. I won't be surprised if Pakistan batting line-up collapse on day 4. They have to score 210 more runs to take a lead. Betting odds is 1.10× for South Africa now.

The way Pakistan batted in their first innings but Pakistan's batting in the second innings was opposite to the first innings. While South Africa ended the innings with 615 runs, Pakistan were bowled out for just 194 runs, meaning Pakistan started the second innings trailing by 418 runs in the first innings. These two batsmen, Babar Azam and Suad Shakeel, Shan Masood have made a partnership of about 205 runs, that is, if Pakistan can make such a big partnership for the second time, then it will not be too late for Pakistan to take the lead.

South Africa whitewashed Pakistan after winning the second test match with ten wickets. Pakistan was very close to winning the first test match, but after the tea session, Pakistan bowlers didn't picked two wickets. in second inning Shan masood and Babar azam show some resistance played a outstanding partnership of 200 plus runs. Shan Masood played an amazing inning of 145 runs but after the wicket of Shan masood Pakistan batter under pressure and only managed to set a low target of 58 runs fro South Africa. The batting of Ryan Rickelton is turning point for South Africa as he scored an innings of 259, which would prove to be a game changing for South Africa team. Pakistan team improve his batting line in second inning but they needs to improve his bowling unit if they want win next matches against west indies.

[ZAINmalik75]

Pakistani bowlers gave away too many runs in first innings while Pakistan batting was so low in first innings that they have to face follow-on. Batters performance in second innings was good but damage done in first innings was huge. Shan Masood finally scored some runs along with Babar Azam. It's surprising that Babar Azam who is main batsmen for Pakistan was not able to score a first in his last ten test matches, stats for Shan Masood are also not much different. If PCB want to improve test performance then players like Shan Masood must be axed from the squad, who score a century or fifty once in a while.

It's a flat track and that's why south African batter properly utilized it while on the other hand Pakistani batter didn't perform well and giveaway his wicket very easily, so I will named batting order responsible of that terrible collapse at first inning which results in follow on rule for them, if they played a bit sensibly like they does in second innings then believe me results will be completely different, it's true that saim place really create gap for them but the player who can showed impact through his innings like saud and Kamran failed to filled the team need and expections, and that's why team failed to even draw the second match. Hope so we will get some new talented name in west indies test series at home

[Crypto Library]

Judging from the overall condition of the match, Pakistan players have batted pathetically in the first innings. Maybe they had lost their confidence by watching the big score of South Africa in first innings. Pakistan second innings performance was surprising, but it wasn't completely unpredictable. They should have performed like that in the first innings. The second test match ended as a one sided match.

After the first innings, when they were forced to play their second innings as per the follow-on rules, then perhaps the Pakistani cricketers were forced to perform well in the second innings. However, after the performance they gave in the first innings, scoring 478 runs in the mean time was totally unexpected for me.

Anyway, overall, what I can understand from this Test series is that South Africa is going to strengthen their position in the Test Championship. And the performance they are showing may be such that they will win the final match against Australia. 

[Ayers]

Judging from the overall condition of the match, Pakistan players have batted pathetically in the first innings. Maybe they had lost their confidence by watching the big score of South Africa in first innings. Pakistan second innings performance was surprising, but it wasn't completely unpredictable. They should have performed like that in the first innings. The second test match ended as a one sided match.

Pakistani bowlers gave away too many runs in first innings while Pakistan batting was so low in first innings that they have to face follow-on. Batters performance in second innings was good but damage done in first innings was huge. Shan Masood finally scored some runs along with Babar Azam. It's surprising that Babar Azam who is main batsmen for Pakistan was not able to score a first in his last ten test matches, stats for Shan Masood are also not much different. If PCB want to improve test performance then players like Shan Masood must be axed from the squad, who score a century or fifty once in a while.

Both Pakistani batsmen and bowlers performed very badly in the first innings. I will not blame the bowlers. Because this pitch was batting friendly. So the bowlers could not take any advantage. However, despite being a batting friendly pitch, Pakistani batsmen batted very badly in the first innings. And that is why Pakistan lost.

Pakistan's total in the first innings was only 194 runs. If Pakistan had scored close to 400 in the first innings, the match would have been competitive. Pakistan batted a little better in the second innings. And scored 478 runs. However, due to the small total in the first innings, the team was able to give a target of only 58 runs. Batting on a small target, South Africa reached the target of victory without losing any wickets.

[SATWAT]

I think this is the reason why Pakistan is called an unpredictable team, in the first innings the entire team will be bowled out at 194 and in the second innings, no wicket has fallen for 194 runs. Pakistan has low chances but they way Pakistan team comeback in second inning is outstanding performance from the batters.

Judging from the overall condition of the match, Pakistan players have batted pathetically in the first innings. Maybe they had lost their confidence by watching the big score of South Africa in first innings. Pakistan second innings performance was surprising, but it wasn't completely unpredictable. They should have performed like that in the first innings. The second test match ended as a one sided match.

No doubt Pakistani batting was pathetic in first inning while they all bowled out on 194 mostly have poor selection of shots even in second inning we have few batsmen play wrong shots even they were in good position to play long inning lack of patience and cricketing mind the biggest problem for them but still few big records we have from this worst Pakistani team on tour of South Africa.
They score highest ever runs after following-on and their opening partnership was also the highest ever after having following-on. This is beauty from them always done something special which bring them on record books.

Highest first innings deficit overcome while following on
478 - PAK vs SA, Cape Town, 2025 (lost)
473 - PAK vs WI, Bridgetown, 1958 (drawn)
400 - SA vs AUS, Sydney, 2002 (lost)

[Sithara007]

No doubt Pakistani batting was pathetic in first inning while they all bowled out on 194 mostly have poor selection of shots even in second inning we have few batsmen play wrong shots even they were in good position to play long inning lack of patience and cricketing mind the biggest problem for them but still few big records we have from this worst Pakistani team on tour of South Africa.
They score highest ever runs after following-on and their opening partnership was also the highest ever after having following-on. This is beauty from them always done something special which bring them on record books.

Highest first innings deficit overcome while following on
478 - PAK vs SA, Cape Town, 2025 (lost)
473 - PAK vs WI, Bridgetown, 1958 (drawn)
400 - SA vs AUS, Sydney, 2002 (lost)

All these heroics are of little use unless they are able to win the match. Shan Masood and Babar Azam were able to improve their test batting average and that was the only positive outcome for Pakistan. South African selectors did a blunder this time by including 4 pacers in the squad (Kagiso Rabada, Marco Jansen, Wiaan Mulder and Kwena Maphaka). This meant that in the second innings the entire burden was shouldered by their only spinner (Keshav Maharaj). BTW, the captain should have used Aiden Markram more while bowling in the second innings.

[Bitcoinsummoner]

2nd test at Cape Town, South Africa vs Pakistan. South Africa won by 10 wickets. It's a huge victory for the South African Team over the other biggest team Pakistan. Pakistan closed their 2nd innings with 478 runs and Pakistan led South Africa only 58 runs to win. It's a very low score for South Africa to win. That's why they easily touch the winning figure without losing any wickets. Congratulations to South Africa.

[Sithara007]

The pig-3 has proposed re-arranging the existing structure for test cricket. At the moment, there are 9 teams in division 1 and only three teams in division 2. BCCI, ECB and CA are proposing to limit the number of teams in first division to 6. And this would rejuvenate the second division, as the number of teams would increase from 3 to 6. At the moment, the top-6 teams in the WTC points table are as follows:

1. South Africa
2. Australia
3. India
4. New Zealand
5. Sri Lanka
6. England

But one disadvantage with this division is that Pakistan will be relegated to the second division.

More details here: https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2025/jan/06/radical-plan-may-result-in-two-england-australia-ashes-series-every-three-years-cricket

[Publictalk792]

2nd test at Cape Town, South Africa vs Pakistan. South Africa won by 10 wickets. It's a huge victory for the South African Team over the other biggest team Pakistan. Pakistan closed their 2nd innings with 478 runs and Pakistan led South Africa only 58 runs to win. It's a very low score for South Africa to win. That's why they easily touch the winning figure without losing any wickets. Congratulations to South Africa.

Second test match in Cape Town was big success for South Africa. They beat Pakistan by 10 wickets which is very big win. Pakistan scored 478 runs in their second innings which seemed like good score. But in the end they were only 58 runs ahead of South Africa which was not enough to give South Africa hard time. South African team easily reached their target without losing any wickets which shows how strong they are. Congratulations to South Africa on their great win.

[AirtelBuzz]

Yeah. They did honestly surprise me with their fightback, but it won't last long. They might end up giving a small lead at the end which the Proteas should chase relatively quickly without any issues.

Really I am also thinking that at any time the Pakistan batsmen will collapse and they will loss by an innings. Even I am not confident that they can't even make any sort of lead. Still Pakistan trail by 150+ runs. A long way to go in this match.

Shah Masood is batting on 119 and it is a matter of time he gets out and the team collapses. I don't think that today is the day that he make 300 runs  😂.

If Pakistan's Shan Masood gets out then Pakistan will really lose by innings. Babar Azam contributed a bit with 81 runs but if no batsman can contribute later Pakistan may not be able to take the lead by runs. Kamran Ghulam was run out by  Rabada, meaning Pakistan was going through a crisis moment. Pakistan are trailing by 140 runs which means that if they don't build a big partnership later on then Pakistan will definitely be defeated by an innings margin.

Pakistan lost to South Africa by a huge margin, basically Pakistan could not score many runs in their first innings, meaning they did not bat well in the first innings. If Pakistan could have scored 400-plus runs in the first innings, then they would have been able to set a much higher runs target. In the second Test match, Pakistan scored 194 runs in their first innings against South Africa and scored 478 runs in their second innings against South Africa. It is surprising that Pakistan could not win a single match in this Test series against South Africa, South Africa have strengthened their position for the Test Championship by winning the Test series against Pakistan.

[Sithara007]

Pakistan lost to South Africa by a huge margin, basically Pakistan could not score many runs in their first innings, meaning they did not bat well in the first innings. If Pakistan could have scored 400-plus runs in the first innings, then they would have been able to set a much higher runs target. In the second Test match, Pakistan scored 194 runs in their first innings against South Africa and scored 478 runs in their second innings against South Africa. It is surprising that Pakistan could not win a single match in this Test series against South Africa, South Africa have strengthened their position for the Test Championship by winning the Test series against Pakistan.

South Africa performed exceptionally well this time, while Pakistan's performance was quite poor (they are at 8th position out of 9 teams, with only West Indies below them). One of the reasons why South Africa performed so well is because they sidelined the so called transformation quotas. A few years back, the board decided that a maximum of only 4 white players can be allowed in the XI. But the side that won the second test had 7 white players out of 11. And it worked really well for them.

[Shishir99]

It was predictable already that Pakistan would lose this match after seeing their first innings batting collapse. But everyone has to admit that Pakistan played well in the 2nd innings. The result is now, South Africa won by ten wickets. The result could have been a little better if they could play well in the first innings.

After losing the T20 series, Pakistan came back in the ODI's by whitewashing South Africans. So, everyone thought they would play a little better in the Test series. But they indeed lose both matches. Congrats to South Africa!

[laijsica]

Yeah. They did honestly surprise me with their fightback, but it won't last long. They might end up giving a small lead at the end which the Proteas should chase relatively quickly without any issues.

Really I am also thinking that at any time the Pakistan batsmen will collapse and they will loss by an innings. Even I am not confident that they can't even make any sort of lead. Still Pakistan trail by 150+ runs. A long way to go in this match.

Shah Masood is batting on 119 and it is a matter of time he gets out and the team collapses. I don't think that today is the day that he make 300 runs  😂.

If Pakistan's Shan Masood gets out then Pakistan will really lose by innings. Babar Azam contributed a bit with 81 runs but if no batsman can contribute later Pakistan may not be able to take the lead by runs. Kamran Ghulam was run out by  Rabada, meaning Pakistan was going through a crisis moment. Pakistan are trailing by 140 runs which means that if they don't build a big partnership later on then Pakistan will definitely be defeated by an innings margin.

Pakistan lost to South Africa by a huge margin, basically Pakistan could not score many runs in their first innings, meaning they did not bat well in the first innings. If Pakistan could have scored 400-plus runs in the first innings, then they would have been able to set a much higher runs target. In the second Test match, Pakistan scored 194 runs in their first innings against South Africa and scored 478 runs in their second innings against South Africa. It is surprising that Pakistan could not win a single match in this Test series against South Africa, South Africa have strengthened their position for the Test Championship by winning the Test series against Pakistan.

Yes, I agree with you. The South African team management has executed their strategy very well and won both the Tests. I suspected that this Test match was going to be a draw when Pakistan finished the third day at 213 for one, but their performance started to deteriorate from the beginning of the fourth day. I have to commend the South African bowlers because they bowled well and did not give the Pakistani batsmen a chance to bat for long. Pakistan started well after resuming batting from the follow-on in the first innings, but they could not maintain that consistency. Pakistan team scored 478 runs in the second innings. The target of just 58 runs was easy for South Africa and they reached that target in just 7.1 overs without losing any wickets.

[Sithara007]

Would like to remind everyone that it is still possible for Australia to miss the final of 2023–2025 ICC World Test Championship. They have two more matches remaining, and this time it's against Sri Lanka. Also, remember that these matches are being hosted by Sri Lanka. Australian batsmen performed poorly against Indian bowlers during the BGT, and it was their bowlers who rescued them. But these same bowlers will struggle in the flat and dusty pitches of Sri Lanka.

https://cricket.one/cricket-news/australia-still-not-confirmed-for-wtc-2025-final-all-scenarios-explained/677be3e31aab02f8b5ffca6b

If Australia incurs an eight-point deduction across the two remaining matches against Sri Lanka and the hosts sweep the series 2-0, Sri Lanka would edge past with a PCT of 53.84 to Australia’s 53.52. 

While such a scenario is unlikely, there is historical precedent. During the 2023 Ashes series, Australia were docked 10 points for slow over rates in the fourth Test, while England faced a record 19-point penalty across the series. Pakistan also suffered a six-point deduction earlier this year during their series against Bangladesh.