CAPE TOWN: After losing three early wickets, Ryan Rickleton and skipper Temba Bauma scored centuries to end the first day of the second Test at Newlands on Friday with the former bowlers at the crease at 316/4 to end Pakistan’s dominance. Flipped over.
South Africa enjoyed another productive session as the hosts scored 132 for the loss of just one wicket, thanks to a 235-run fourth-wicket partnership between Rickelton and Bauma.
The marathon stand finally ended in the 77th over when Salman Ali Agha caught Baoma behind. The right-handed batsman scored 106 runs off 179 balls with the help of nine fours and two sixes.
After his dismissal, Rickelton was joined by David Bedingham and the duo added nine runs to South Africa’s total before the stumps were drawn.
At the end of the day, Rickelton was unbeaten on 176 off 232 balls, with 21 fours and a six, while Bedingham made four not outs.
On behalf of Pakistan, Agha got two wickets while Khurram Shehzad and Mohammad Abbas dismissed one player each.
The home side dominated the second session as well, posting 112 runs without losing a wicket as Rickelton and captain Bovuma frustrated Pakistan’s bowlers.
At the tea break, Rickelton was 106 not out with 14 fours off 149 balls, while Bowma was not out on 51 with six fours.
Electing to bat first, the home side made a solid start to their innings as their in-form Aiden Markram and the new opening pair of Rickelton put on a 61-run partnership.
The pair looked in complete control until Markram was caught behind Khurram Shehzad after scoring a cautious 40-ball 17 with three fours.
All-rounder Vian Mulder, who returned to the side after recovering from a thumb injury, failed to extend his stay at the crease as he was dismissed by Abbas after scoring just five runs.
Part-time spinner Agha gave Pakistan their third win when he dismissed Tristan Stubbs for six after one over, reducing the home side to 72/3.
Meanwhile, Rickelton, who scored his second fifty-plus score in the format, will resume South Africa’s innings in the second session alongside skipper Temba Baoma.
For Pakistan, Khurram, Abbas and Agha took one wicket each.
It should be noted that South Africa have a 1-0 lead in the two-match series in the opening match of the series at Centurion.
Playing XI
Pakistan: Shaan Masood (captain), Saeem Ayub, Babar Azam, Kamran Ghulam, Saud Shakeel, Mohammad Rizwan (wicket), Salman Agha, Aamir Jamal, Khurram Shahzad, Mohammad Abbas, Mir Hamza.
South Africa: Aiden Markram, Ryan Rickelton, Wayne Mulder, Tristan Stubbs, Temba Boma (capt), David Bedingham, Kyle Vereen (wicket), Marco Johnson, Kesho Maharaj, Kagiso Rabada, Koena Mafaka.