Tony de Zorzi ruled out of 2nd South Africa vs Pakistan Test

South Africa batter Tony de Zorzi has been ruled out of the upcoming second Test against Pakistan due to a left thigh strain, Cricket South Africa (CSA) officially confirmed on Thursday, January 2. The 27-year-old sustained the injury while fielding on day three of the Boxing Day Test match in Centurion against Shan Masood's men last week.

The second and final Test of the two-match series will be played at the picturesque Newlands in Cape Town from Friday, January 3. Proteas won the nail-biting opening game by two wickets, chasing down the target of 148 runs on day four.

With this victory, they reached their first-ever World Test Championship final which will be played at the iconic Lord's Cricket Ground in London from June 11-15. Personally, De Zorzi did not have a memorable Test match, managing just four runs in total during the encounter.

Opening the innings alongside Aiden Markram, the southpaw scored two runs each in the two innings. Even in the previous two-Test home series against Sri Lanka, he failed to make an impact with the bat, scoring 40 runs across four innings.

Kagiso Rabada and Marco Jansen ensure South Africa's WTC final spot

In pursuit of a 1-0 series lead and the World Test Championship final spot, the hosts got off to a disastrous start to their chase of 148 in the first Test, losing three wickets with just 19 runs on the board. Courtesy of Pakistan pacer Mohammad Abbas's splendid display, the Temba Bavuma-led team were reeling at 99-8 at one stage, needing 49 more runs to win.

From thereon, the duo of Kagiso Rabada (31* off 26 balls) and Marco Jansen (16* off 24 deliveries) stood firm for the ninth wicket partnership and ensured South Africa's victory as well as their maiden WTC final spot. Returning to Test cricket after a three-year hiatus, the 34-year-old Abbas eventually finished with the figures of 6/54, the best by a Pakistan bowler in South Africa.