RAWALPINDI, OCT 21: South Africa are in a decent position against Pakistan as Tristan Stubbs and Tony de Zorzi steady the innings after early setbacks, reaching 86 for 2 in 34 overs, still trailing by 247 runs at the Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium on Tuesday.
South Africa resumed their innings after lunch, with Ryan Rickelton and captain Aiden Markram looking to provide a solid start.
Advertisement
The runs began to flow, but the partnership was broken when Shaheen Afridi dismissed Rickelton for 14 off 26 balls, leaving the team at 22-1 in 8.2 overs.
Markram took charge after Rickelton’s departure, hitting boundaries and keeping the scoreboard ticking, helping South Africa cross the 50-run mark in the 20th over.
However, Sajid Khan struck, removing Markram for 32 off 62 balls, which included four boundaries and a six, ending a 32-run partnership with Tristan Stubbs.
Tony de Zorzi then held firm alongside Stubbs, adding 32 runs for the third wicket as tea approached. At the break, De Zorzi remained unbeaten on 13 off 34 balls, while Stubbs was 23 off 84.
The visitors reached 9 without loss in three overs at lunch on day two, 324 runs behind.
They began their reply around ten minutes before the interval, with Aiden Markram and Ryan Rickelton opening.
At the break, Markram was 6 off 13 and Rickelton 3 off 5, with no extras.
Spinner Keshav Maharaj took seven wickets to help South Africa dismiss Pakistan for 333 in the first innings of the match.
The hosts resumed the second day on 259-5, but Maharaj ran through their batting with figures of 7-102, his 12th haul of five wickets or more in Tests.
Shan Masood, the captain, top-scored with 87.
Resuming the second day at 259-5 in 91 overs, Salman Ali Agha and Saud Shakeel played vital roles in stabilising Pakistan’s innings, steadily adding valuable runs to the total.
Shakeel batted sensibly, registering his ninth Test fifty and sharing a solid 70-run partnership with Agha, who contributed 45 off 76 balls, including five boundaries.
Their partnership was broken when Agha was dismissed by Maharaj, leaving Pakistan at 316-6 in 105.5 overs.
Just an over later, the left-arm spinner struck again, removing Shakeel for a well-made 66 off 147 balls, which featured four boundaries.
Maharaj continued his dominance, dismissing Shaheen Afridi for a duck to complete his five-wicket haul.
He later claimed the wickets of Sajid Khan (5) and debutant Asif Afridi, finishing with outstanding figures of 7 wickets as Pakistan were bowled out for 333.
Pakistan resumed their innings on the second day of Rawalpindi Test against South Africa with Saud Shakeel unbeaten on 42 off 105 balls, alongside Salman Ali Agha, who is on 10 off 25 deliveries.
Resuming the final session of the first day at 177-3 in 62 overs, Shan Masood and Saud Shakeel continued Pakistan’s strong batting display, steadily adding runs with the skipper nearing his Test century. Pakistan crossed the 200-run mark in the 70th over.
The pair contributed 45 runs for the fourth wicket before Keshav Maharaj struck, claiming his second wicket by dismissing Shan Masood for 87 off 176 balls, featuring two fours and three sixes. Pakistan were reeling at 212-4 in 73.3 overs.
Mohammad Rizwan joined Saud at the crease and provided a crucial start, but his innings ended when Kagiso Rabada claimed his wicket for 19 runs off 39 balls, which included two boundaries.
Pakistan will resume their innings on the second day with Saud Shakeel unbeaten on 42 off 105 balls, alongside Salman Ali Agha, who is on 10 off 25 deliveries.
For the Proteas, Simon Harmer and Keshav Maharaj picked up two wickets each, while Kagiso Rabada claimed one wicket.
Earlier, Pakistan began confidently as Imam-ul-Haq and Abdullah Shafique added quick runs, finding boundaries with ease and keeping the scoreboard ticking in the morning session.
The opening pair looked set for a solid stand before Imam was clean bowled by spinner Simon Harmer for 17 off 35 balls, ending a 35-run partnership in the 13th over.
Abdullah Shafique continued positively, mixing aggression with composure to keep the pressure on the South African bowlers.
Captain Shan Masood then joined Shafique and immediately made his presence felt, smashing two towering sixes as Pakistan reached 65-1 after 20 overs.
The duo brought up a 50-run stand in the 25th over, both growing in confidence as lunch approached.
Resuming after lunch at 95-1 in 30 overs, Masood and Shafique continued their positive approach, helping Pakistan cross the 100-run mark.
Masood remained solid, notching his 13th Test fifty, while Shafique played a crucial role after a slow start in the series opener.
The breakthrough came when Harmer dismissed Shafique for 57 off 146 balls, which included four boundaries.
Babar Azam then joined Masood and got off to a steady start, but the duo added only 21 runs for the third wicket before Babar was dismissed for 16 off 22 balls by Keshav Maharaj, leaving Pakistan at 167-3 in 56 overs.
Pakistan lead the two-match series 1–0 after a 93-run win in Lahore, where Noman Ali took a match haul of ten wickets and Shaheen Afridi starred with four in the fourth innings. Pakistan made one change for Rawalpindi, handing a debut to Asif Afridi in place of Hasan Ali.
