Rawalpindi Test: Pakistan 94-4 at stumps on Day Two, lead South Africa by 23 runs

RAWALPINDI: Pakistan’s batting lineup stumbled once again as their second innings in the ongoing second Test match began in Rawalpindi today. However, national team’s batter Babar Azam managed to steady the team.

Pakistan batting line

Pakistan lost their early three wickets after scoring only 16 in total as Imam-ul-Haq added 9, Abdullah Shafique 6, while Shan Masood had been back for a duck. Same happened with the following batter Saud Shakeel who also couldn’t stay long at the crease as he was downed for 11.

Babar Azam held the innings together and remained not out on 49 runs at the closing of play 2. He was able to take the team total to 60 following a strong initial support provided by Saud Shakeel. However, as supportive Saud was downed, there stepped in Mohammad Rizwan to join Babar at the crease, increasing the team’s total to 94 runs.

Seasoned batters Baba and Rizwan were still at the crease at the time when the day was closing. The players will resume their side innings tomorrow to open the third day of the Rawalpindi Test as Pakistan held a 23-run lead over South Africa today.

South Africa, in response to the Pakistan’s massive 333-run total, earlier scored 404 to take a 71-run first-innings lead, following the Proteas advantage through excellent batting performances.

During their batting, Proteas Muthusamy and Kagiso Rabada played well for their side on the pitch where unbeaten Muthusamy added 89, with Rabada adding 71 run supportive batting before falling to the national bowlers.

For Proteas, Aiden Markram and Ryan Rickelton opened their innings, however after the Markram was downed after scoring only 32 while Rickelton lost to Shaheens after adding 14 runs.

The standout of the match Asif Afridi removed Tony de Zorzi for 55 and Dewald Brevis for a duck, while Tristan Stubbs made 76 before getting out.

Earlier today

South Africa’s lower order continued to frustrate Pakistan on Day 3 of the second Test in Rawalpindi, taking their total to 403 for nine in 117.2 overs and securing a lead of 65 runs. Senuran Muthusamy anchored the innings with a composed 87 off 151 balls, while Kagiso Rabada counterattacked brilliantly, smashing 63 from just 50 deliveries, including four fours and four sixes.

Rabada’s fifty, one of the fastest by a No. 11 batter in Test history, coming off just 38 balls, swung the momentum firmly in South Africa’s favour. The partnership between Muthusamy and Rabada proved highly valuable, adding crucial runs against Pakistan’s tiring bowlers. Left-arm spinner Asif Afridi remained Pakistan’s standout performer with figures of 5 for 72, while Sajid Khan supported with one wicket for 116 runs. Despite creating several opportunities, Pakistan’s fielding lapses allowed South Africa’s tail to pile on runs and strengthen their advantage heading into the final session.

Earlier today, the visitors trailed by 27 runs in their first innings, reaching 306 for nine in 99.6 overs at a run rate of 3.06. Senuran Muthusamy remained unbeaten on 62 off 99 balls, while Keshav Maharaj contributed 30 before being stumped by Mohammad Rizwan off Noman Ali’s bowling. Shaheen Shah Afridi claimed one wicket for 71 runs in 23 overs, and Asif Afridi remains the standout bowler with figures of five for 71 in 32 overs. South Africa’s lower order resisted briefly, but Pakistan maintained control as the innings approached its end.

The lower order staged a resilient fightback, with Senuran Muthusamy unbeaten on 48 and Keshav Maharaj on 23, as the visitors added 50 runs in the last 10 overs before the break. Left-arm spinner Asif Afridi remained Pakistan’s standout performer, claiming five wickets for 61 runs in 30 overs, while Sajid Khan chipped in with one for 77. Despite several missed chances, including a stumping, a catch, and a run-out opportunity, Pakistan maintained a slender advantage. However, South Africa’s tailenders frustrated the hosts with defiant stroke play and smart running between the wickets. The partnership between Muthusamy and Maharaj not only narrowed the deficit but also gave the visitors a glimmer of hope of levelling the series.

Left-arm spinner Noman Ali did not step back either and has provided Pakistan with another wicket on, trapping Marco Jansen lbw for 12 after a successful review by captain Shan Masood. The delivery, fired in quicker on off stump, beat Jansen’s defence and went on to hit middle and off. His dismissal left South Africa struggling at 235 for eight, still trailing Pakistan’s first-innings total of 333 by 98 runs. Noman’s wicket-maiden over added to the pressure already built by debutant Asif Afridi, who has taken five wickets so far. Keshav Maharaj joined Senuran Muthusamy at the crease as South Africa’s lower order fought to reduce the deficit.

It has been an absolute treat as Pakistan debutant Asif Afridi produced a dream spell, claiming a five-wicket haul on debut at the age of 38 as South Africa struggled to stay afloat in their chase of 333 on the third day of the second Test. Afridi completed his maiden five-for by trapping Simon Harmer lbw for two, darting in a delivery on middle stump that beat the batter’s attempted reverse sweep and crashed into the pads. With Senuran Muthusamy batting on 14 and Marco Jansen the new man in, South Africa still faced a steep deficit and Pakistan’s spinners tightening the screws.

The veteran left-arm spinner was immediately surrounded by jubilant teammates, celebrating a remarkable moment in his late-blooming career. Earlier, Afridi had dismissed Tristan Stubbs for 76, ending a defiant innings that had anchored South Africa’s resistance. His precise control and sharp turn kept Pakistan firmly in charge, reducing the visitors to 208 for six.

Earlier, Pakistan made an early breakthrough on the third morning of the second Test against South Africa, tightening their grip as the visitors reached 193 for five, still trailing by 140 runs in pursuit of 333.

Left-arm spinner Asif Afridi provided Pakistan with the day’s first breakthrough, dismissing Kyle Verreynne for 10 after the wicketkeeper-batter edged a turning delivery to Mohammad Rizwan behind the stumps. The wicket, coming in the opening overs of the day, marked Asif’s third scalp of the innings and left South Africa under mounting pressure.

At the crease, Tristan Stubbs was holding firm on 69 off 187 balls, while Senuran Muthusamy had moved to six. The pair has added a cautious stand since Verreynne’s dismissal, but with the ball gripping and Pakistan’s spinners finding rhythm, scoring has been slow, South Africa’s run rate hovering around 2.8 an over.

Shaheen Shah Afridi and Asif Afridi have led Pakistan’s attack with control and movement, while Noman Ali has kept the batters in check from the other end. The pitch has begun to show variable bounce, suggesting Pakistan could have an edge as the day progresses.

With five wickets down and 140 runs still required to level the scores, South Africa face an uphill task against a disciplined Pakistan attack aiming to wrap up the innings and push for a series-clinching victory.