'Probably the best Test century by a South African' - Kevin Pietersen in awe of Aiden Markram's WTC final effort

Kevin Pietersen was left in awe of Aiden Markram's knock in the fourth innings of the World Test Championship (WTC) final, which orchestrated a five-wicket win for South Africa at the Lord's Cricket Ground in London on Saturday, June 14. This victory ended South Africa's long 27-year wait for an ICC title.

Markram was out for a duck in the first innings, but instead of getting bogged down, he bounced back strongly and played an innings of a lifetime. His 136-run knock off 207 balls was studded with 14 fours. The knock played a massive role in setting up South Africa for the 282-run target they had to chase down in the final innings of the final.

Pietersen said that Markram did not score the most attacking or entertaining century by a South African batter but it still is the most important one in the Rainbow Nation's cricketing history, considering the stage and the pressure he had to deal with after failing to open his account in the first innings.

"Probably the best innings any South African batter has ever played in Test match cricket. It might not go down as the most attacking or entertaining if you look back at South Africa’s Test history," Pietersen said while speaking to the broadcasters of the WTC final.

"But when you factor in the expectation, the stage, and the pressure after failing in the first innings, it was extraordinary. Whether you're a batter or a bowler, when your country is counting on you and you have to deliver — that pressure is immense," said Pietersen.

It’s hard to even describe the kind of pressure he was under: Kevin Pietersen

Pietersen found it difficult to explain the kind of pressure Markram would have been under, especially after he had lost his opening partner Ryan Rickelton in just the third over in the run-chase.

“He lost (Ryan) Rickelton early, yet still went on to produce something truly magnificent. It’s hard to even describe the kind of pressure he was under,” said Pietersen.

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Apart from Markram, South African captain Temba Bavuma played a stellar knock of 66 runs, battling through a hamstring injury. David Bedingham, Kagiso Rabada, Lungi Ngidi, and Marco Jansen chipped in as South Africa defeated the defending champions.