Have South Africa qualified for the World Test Championship final after their 2-wicket win over Pakistan in Centurion?

1st Test: South Africa v Pakistan - Source: Getty — South Africa cricket team. (Credits: Getty)

South Africa, led by Temba Bavuma, pulled off a thrilling two-wicket win on Day 4 of the opening Test against Pakistan at the Supersport Park in Centurion. By winning the Boxing Day Test, the Proteas have qualified for the World Test Championship (WTC) for the first time. They will play the summit clash at Lord's the following year in June.

South Africa came on Day 4 with some pressure despite Pakistan setting a modest 148 for them to win as they slid to 27/3 at stumps on the previous day. Mohammad Abbas trapped Tony de Zorzi and Tristan Stubbs lbw, while Khurram Shahzad got the better of Ryan Rickleton.

Abbas got the reward on Day 4 as one kept low to breach through Aiden Markram's defenses for 37, ending a 43-run stand with Bavuma.

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The right-arm seamer continued to rattle the Proteas, dismissing Bavuma (40), David Bedingham (14), and Corbin Bosch (0) to reduce them to 99/8. Nevertheless, the hosts managed to get to lunch at 116/8.

Nonetheless, Pakistan weren't as sharp after lunch, conceding no-balls and easy boundaries as Kagiso Rabada took down Aamer Jamal and Naseem Shah. Marco Jansen hit the winning runs off Abbas, winning by two wickets to spare.

"I was still sulking in the toilet" - South African captain after the victory in Centurion

At the post-match presentation, Bavuma said it was a highly emotional win and that he couldn't dare to come out onto the viewing area until the home side required 15 runs.

"Quite an emotional moment for me. Good advert for Test cricket. Lot of joy and happiness on our side, a bit of a rollercoaster. Glad that we were able to get the result. Not much of a conversation, I was still sulking in the toilet. Aiden, leading the boys, tried to keep them positive. I'd like to say there was still confidence and belief in doing (it). I came out when we needed about 15 runs, did not come out fully into the viewing area," he said.

The second Test between South Africa and Pakistan begins on January 3 in Cape Town.