Young Maphaka makes debut as South Africa wins the toss and bats first in the second Test against Pakistan

CAPE TOWN, South Africa (AP) — Kwena Maphaka became the youngest South African to make her Test debut when the Proteas won the toss and elected to bat in the second and final Test against Pakistan on Friday.

Maphaka, aged 18 years and 270 days, broke the South African record of Paul Adams as the youngest Test player, who played his first Test against England in 1995 at the age of 18 years and 340 days.

South Africa made three changes after sealing their place in June’s World Test Championship final with a dramatic two-wicket win in the first test in Centurion in four days’ time.

Australia, India and Sri Lanka are still in the race for the Lord’s WTC final against South Africa in June. Australia could advance to face South Africa if they win the fifth Test against India in Sydney.

“It’s hot and we hope the wicket breaks,” South Africa captain Temba Bavuma said during the toss. “We have had time to review what we have achieved, preparations for this test have been the priority… a chance to finish on a good note.”

Fast bowler Mohammad Abbas moved Pakistan closer to their first Test win in South Africa in 18 years with 6-54 in the second innings at Centurion, but supporters Kagiso Rabada and Marco Jansen shared a ninth-wicket half-century stand and destroyed the hopes of the visitors.

The home side, who have six consecutive Test wins, opted to follow Maphaka’s fast pace in place of Dane Paterson, who was dropped after taking his second consecutive five-wicket haul at Centurion.

Corbin Bosch was left out after making an impressive debut in the first Test, where he took a wicket with his first ball and then made a brilliant unbeaten half-century in the first innings that gave South Africa a 90-run lead to win the match.

Left-arm spinner Keshav Maharaj recovered from a groin injury and replaced Bosch. Opening batsman Tony de Zorzi suffered a thigh strain and was replaced by Wiaan Mulder as the all-rounder recovered from a finger injury and returned to the playing XI.

Pakistan, who have won just two of their last nine Test matches in this WTC cycle, were once again left without a specialist. He rested fast bowler Naseem Shah and brought in left-arm fast bowler Mir Hamza.

“A little less grass than usual, but we would have had a bowl,” Pakistan captain Shan Masood said.

___

Lineups:

South Africa: Ryan Rickleton, Aiden Markram, Wiaan Mulder, Tristan Stubbs, Temba Bavuma (captain), David Bedingham, Kyle Verreynne, Marco Jansen, Keshav Maharaj, Kagiso Rabada, Kwena Maphaka.

Pakistan: Shan Masood (captain), Saim Ayub, Babar Azam, Kamran Ghulam, Saud Shakeel, Mohammad Rizwan, Salman Ali Agha, Aamer Jamal, Mir Hamza, Mohammad Abbas, Khurram Shahzad.