South Africa has successfully qualified for the World Test Championship final, achieving a tense two-wicket win against Pakistan in the first Test match at Centurion. The crucial victory, which took place on the fourth day of the gameplay, was marked by South Africa's remarkable comeback after falling from 96-4 to a precarious 99-8, before tailenders Kagiso Rabada and Marco Jansen pulled through against the relentless attack from Abbas, who claimed an impressive 6-54.

The Proteas needed to chase down 148 runs for victory, and despite the mounting pressure, Rabada showed great character, scoring an unbeaten 31 runs from 26 balls, contributing significantly to a crucial partnership of 51 runs with Jansen, who finished at 16 not out. Captain Temba Bavuma expressed his emotional reaction to the victory: "[It was a] good advert for Test cricket, a bit of a rollercoaster." He indicated how grateful he was that the team could clinch the desired result after facing considerable challenges throughout the match.

South Africa had resumed their innings on day four at a shaky 27-3, but Bavuma and Aiden Markram steadied the ship, successfully countering a spell of extraordinary fast bowling by Abbas, who was making a remarkable comeback after a long absence from Test cricket. Bavuma was dismissed controversially after making 40 runs, following a decision that many considered unjust, as replays suggested the ball had hit his pocket rather than the bat, raising eyebrows about the absence of a review call. The situation seemed dire as South Africa crumbled under pressure, losing four wickets for just three runs in a dismal display.

Despite this collapse, the late-game efforts of Rabada and Jansen shifted the momentum back in favor of the home side, culminating in jubilant celebrations among players and fans as they secured a memorable win. Bavuma noted the significance of this victory not only for him personally but for the team and the coach, highlighting the resilience shown by South Africa throughout a challenging series of matches, with this win marking their seventh victory in eleven matches of this World Test Championship cycle.

With their sights now set on the final to be held at Lord's in June, South Africa will face one of the formidable adversaries—India or Australia. As for Pakistan, the captain Shan Masood acknowledged the frustration of repeated mistakes costing the team vital matches and stressed the need for improvement. The second Test between the teams is kicking off in Cape Town on Friday, promising more exciting moments ahead in this gripping series.

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