Pakistan, holding a slender 23-run lead with six wickets in hand, faces a stern test after South Africa’s lower-order fightback gives them a crucial first-innings advantage.
RAWALPINDI: Pakistan’s second innings faltered on day three of the second Test after a devastating spell from spinner Simon Harmer, leaving the hosts at a precarious 94/4 and holding a narrow lead of 23 runs at the Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium on Wednesday.
The home side’s innings began disastrously, losing opener Imam-ul-Haq early for nine runs to Harmer. The pressure intensified just overs later when the spinner struck again, trapping captain Shan Masood leg-before-wicket for a duck, reducing Pakistan to 16/2.
Pace spearhead Kagiso Rabada compounded the trouble by removing Abdullah Shafique for six, leaving the top order in tatters. A recovery effort was then mounted by Saud Shakeel and Babar Azam, who steadied the innings with a 44-run partnership. However, Harmer returned to break the stand, claiming his third wicket by dismissing Shakeel for 11.
Mohammad Rizwan joined Babar at the crease, and the pair saw Pakistan into the lead with an unbroken partnership. The hosts will resume on day four with Babar Azam poised on 49 and Rizwan supporting on 16, with the match delicately balanced.
South Africa’s Lower Order Fights Back
Earlier, South Africa secured a vital 71-run first-innings lead after being bowled out for 404 in response to Pakistan’s 333. The Proteas’ innings was built on a resilient, unbeaten 89 from Senuran Muthusamy and a spectacular, counter-attacking 71 from tailender Kagiso Rabada.
The visitors had found themselves in trouble at 235/8, but a 98-run final-wicket partnership between Muthusamy and Rabada turned the innings on its head. Rabada’s blistering 61-ball knock, which included four fours and four sixes, allowed South Africa to surge past Pakistan’s total.
The partnership was finally broken by debutant Asif Afridi, who was the standout bowler for Pakistan, finishing with impressive figures of 6/79. Left-arm spinner Noman Ali supported with two wickets.
On the opening day, after winning the toss and choosing to bat, Pakistan were dismissed for 333. Captain Shan Masood top-scored with 87, supported by half-centuries from Abdullah Shafique (57) and Saud Shakeel (66). For South Africa, Keshav Maharaj was the chief destroyer, claiming a seven-wicket haul (7/102).
