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- PAK vs SA Highlights, 1st Test Match Day 2: South Africa 216/6 at stumps, trail by 162 runs against Pakistan
PAK vs SA Highlights, 1st Test Match Day 2: South Africa 216/6 at stumps, trail by 162 runs against Pakistan
Haq and Masood put on 161 for the second wicket after Kagiso Rabada struck early to dismiss Abdullah Shafique for a duck. The pair dominated until South Africa’s spinners turned things around. Prenelan Subrayen trapped Masood lbw, and Senuran Muthusamy removed Haq and Saud Shakeel in back-to-back deliveries before tea, reducing Pakistan from 163 for 1 to 199 for 5.
Babar Azam’s dismissal for 23 to Simon Harmer deepened the slump. However, Rizwan and Agha counterattacked in the final session with an unbroken 114-run stand, steering Pakistan to safety on a turning Gaddafi Stadium pitch.
Haq, playing his first Test since 2023, was disappointed to fall seven short of a century but insisted Pakistan are well placed, targeting a total beyond 400. South Africa’s bowlers rued missed chances, having dropped Haq on 72 and Masood on 61.
Harmer said the visitors aim to wrap up Pakistan’s innings quickly on Day 2, aware the surface will assist spinners later. The match marks the beginning of a new World Test Championship cycle, with South Africa defending their title after defeating Australia in June.
Sajid Khan to Ryan Rickelton, Slower on off, Ryan Rickelton backs away and pushes this through cover for one.
Sajid Khan to Ryan Rickelton, Tossed up on off, Ryan Rickelton pushes this towards silly point.
Sajid Khan to Ryan Rickelton, Floater on the pads, Ryan Rickelton blocks this.
Sajid Khan to Aiden Markram, Fuller, in the stick, Aiden Markram goes deep and pushes this to long on for one.
Sajid Khan to Aiden Markram, Tossed up on off, Aiden Markram jams this out.
- Aiden Markram 12 (19)
- Ryan Rickelton 6 (18)
Noman Ali to Aiden Markram, Tossed up on off, Aiden Markram dabs this gently in front of short cover to his left and takes a sharp single. Shaheen Afridi aggressively runs towards the ball and throws it to the keeper's end but a poor bit of keeping from Mohammad Rizwan, who let's this get past him without any backup behind gifts Aiden Markram a boundary for overthorws.
Noman Ali to Ryan Rickelton, Tossed up on the pads, Ryan Rickelton flicks this to long on for one.
Noman Ali to Ryan Rickelton, Floated around off, Ryan Rickelton pokes tentatively at it but gets beaten.
Noman Ali to Aiden Markram, Tossed up on middle and leg, Aiden Markram drives this to long off for one.
Noman Ali to Aiden Markram, A bit too full, on off, Aiden Markram thumps this to short cover.
Noman Ali to Aiden Markram, Fuller around off, Aiden Markram defends this off his front foot.
- Ryan Rickelton 5 (16)
- Aiden Markram 6 (15)
Sajid Khan to Ryan Rickelton, Fuller on off, Ryan Rickelton pushes this to the bowler's right for no run.
Sajid Khan to Ryan Rickelton, Fuller on off, Ryan Rickelton defends this one.
Sajid Khan to Aiden Markram, Quicker and flatter on off, Aiden Markram punches tihs through cover for one.
Sajid Khan to Ryan Rickelton, Short and wide on off, Ryan Rickelton pushes this through cover for a single.
Sajid Khan to Ryan Rickelton, Tossed up on off, Ryan Rickelton blocks this out.
Sajid Khan to Ryan Rickelton, Fuller on the pads, Ryan Rickelton tucks this to mid on for no run.
We are all set for the post-Lunch session. Ryan Rickelton will be taking strike against Sajid Khan. Aiden Markram will take his position as the non-striker to resume proceedings post Lunch.
... DAY 2, SESSION 2...
Earlier, Senuran Muthusamy's brilliant spell brought South Africa back into the game, dismantling Pakistan's batting lineup. Muthusamy claimed his maiden six-wicket haul, picking up crucial wickets to bowl Pakistan out for 378. Pakistan's promising start was derailed as Muthusamy's spin magic took over, removing Mohammad Rizwan, Noman Ali, and Sajid Khan in a single over. Salman Agha's resistance was admirable, but he fell 7 short of a century. Pakistan's chances of reaching 450 were hindered by collapses and Muthusamy's exceptional bowling. The hosts' notable partnerships were Imam-ul-Haq-Shan Masood earlier in the game and Mohammad Rizwan-Salman Agha right after the first collapse. Right then, South Africa have passed the small hurdle of not losing any wickets. The openers' next job will be to test themselves under tough conditions and see out the second session. It won't be easy as expect Pakistan to go with Noman Ali - Sajid Khan right throughout the session. Stay tuned for the post-Lunch session.
So, South Africa survive the small phase and goes into the break unhurt. A good start to Day 2 for the visitors. They have picked the remaining five wickets of the Pakistani team by giving away just 65 runs.
- Aiden Markram 5 (14)
- Ryan Rickelton 4 (11)
Noman Ali to Aiden Markram, Fuller delivery, around off, turning away. Aiden Markram prods and splices his defensive shot to second slip. That will be LUNCH.
Noman Ali to Aiden Markram, Spills it full and on the pads, Aiden Markram clips it through mid-wicket for a brace.
Noman Ali to Aiden Markram, Too full and outside off, bit wide and Aiden Markram plays it on the off side.
Noman Ali to Aiden Markram, Gives a bit of flight and bowls it on off, Aiden Markram drives it to deep cover for a couple of easy runs.
Noman Ali to Aiden Markram, Very full and around off, played back to the bowler.
Noman Ali to Aiden Markram, Floated full and on middle, Aiden Markram blocks on the front foot.
- Ryan Rickelton 4 (11)
- Aiden Markram 1 (8)
Shaheen Afridi to Ryan Rickelton, Spills it full and down the leg side. Rickelton looks to flick but misses. Mohammad Rizwan picks up low and has hurt his right hand in the process. Seems fine though.
Shaheen Afridi to Ryan Rickelton, Pushes it full and around off, Rickelton defends it to silly mid off.
Shaheen Afridi to Ryan Rickelton, Touch fuller and around off, comes with an angle, defended out.
Shaheen Afridi to Ryan Rickelton, On a good length and just outside off. Rickelton hits it well but Shaheen Afridi evenly, stops well in his follow-through. Saves a boundary there.
Shaheen Afridi to Ryan Rickelton, Goes short and on leg, Rickelton ducks under it.
Shaheen Afridi to Ryan Rickelton, Drops it full and on middle, Rickelton blocks it on the off side.
- Aiden Markram 1 (8)
- Ryan Rickelton 4 (5)
Noman Ali to Aiden Markram, Testing over by Ali! Lands it on the seam once again, gets it to turn away sharply. Aiden Markram withdraws his bat in time and lets it go.
Noman Ali to Aiden Markram, Tossed up on middle, Aiden Markram lunges forward and blocks.
Noman Ali to Aiden Markram, Too full and floated around off, Aiden Markram leans to defend it solidly.
Noman Ali to Aiden Markram, Tossed up on middle, defended out.
A stumping appeal has been taken upstairs. Aiden Markram seems to be fine.
Noman Ali to Aiden Markram, Noman Ali lands it on middle, inside the line and makes it to spin away. Aiden Markram is drawn to defend with a big stride forward but misses and gets beaten. The keeper collects and clips the bails off. The replay shows his back foot was well grounded.
Noman Ali to Aiden Markram, Sharp turn and bounce! On the shorter side, lands on the seam and spins away with some extra bounce. Aiden Markram thinks to push it but lets it go in the end.
Noman Ali to Aiden Markram, Noman Ali begins with a fuller delivery on middle. Aiden Markram defends on the front foot.
Noman Ali to bowl from the other end.
- Ryan Rickelton 4 (5)
- Aiden Markram 1 (1)
Shaheen Afridi to Ryan Rickelton, Pushes it full and in the slot. Rickelton plays with soft hands to mid on.
Shaheen Afridi to Ryan Rickelton, Pulls his length back by a bit, this is around off, Rickelton presses forward and defends.
Shaheen Afridi to Ryan Rickelton, FOUR! Superb timing on that one! Overpitched by Shaheen Afridi, looking for the swing. Rickelton leans into his punch and hits it past short cover for a boundary.
Shaheen Afridi to Ryan Rickelton, Touch fuller and swinging back into the left-hander, Rickelton turns it to mid-wicket.
Shaheen Afridi to Ryan Rickelton, Short in length and wide of off. Ryan Rickelton leaves it alone.
Shaheen Afridi to Aiden Markram, South Africa and Aiden Markram are underway! Starts with a good length and around off, Aiden Markram taps it to cover for a single.
Both were recently absent from the Twenty20 Asia Cup in the UAE, making this series an important platform for their return.
With South Africa expected to field a spin-heavy attack, the pressure will be on the hosts’ top order to negotiate turning deliveries effectively.
Success from Babar and Rizwan, combined with a strong performance from the spinners, will be key for Pakistan’s hopes of starting their WTC campaign on a positive note.
After a strong start led by Haq and Masood’s 161-run second-wicket stand, Pakistan suffered a mini-collapse, slipping from 163 for 1 to 199 for 5 as South Africa’s spinners fought back.
Senuran Muthusamy dismissed both Haq and Saud Shakeel in successive deliveries, while Simon Harmer trapped Babar Azam leg-before soon after tea. Rizwan and Agha then steadied the innings with an unbeaten 114-run partnership on a pitch offering turn. Haq, returning to the Test side after nearly a year, expressed disappointment at missing a hundred but was pleased with Pakistan’s position.
South Africa, led by spinners Muthusamy, Harmer, and Subrayen, will look to restrict Pakistan below 400 on Day 2, knowing the pitch will deteriorate further. Earlier, Kagiso Rabada had struck early, removing Abdullah Shafique for a duck. The two-match series is part of the new World Test Championship cycle, with South Africa entering as reigning champions.
Match Statistics
Venue
Gaddafi Stadium, Lahore
