Pakistan’s struggles continued in the second Test at the Newlands Cricket Ground, Cape Town, as they resumed their first innings on day three at 64/3, behind South Africa’s mammoth total of 615.
The visitors faced early challenges, with a disappointing start to their innings on the second day.
Pakistan’s hopes rested on the shoulders of Babar Azam (31*) and Mohammad Rizwan (9*) as they looked to stabilize the innings.
The pair added 88 runs for the fourth wicket but the partnership was broken when Koena Mfaka dismissed Babar for 58 runs.
Pakistan were struggling at 155/6 at the end of the opening session, with all-rounders Aamir Jamal and Khurram Shahzad at the crease.
Rizwan had earlier managed to put on a brief partnership of 26 runs with Salman Ali Agha but both were dismissed in quick succession.
Rizwan, who scored 46 off 82 balls, was bowled by Mulder while attempting an aggressive slog. Agha, on 19 off 22 balls, was stumped by the wicketkeeper in the 44th over due to Maharaj’s sharp spin, leaving Pakistan in a precarious position at 155/6.
On the second day, Pakistan lost three quick wickets in the first over, including their captain Shaan Masood, followed by Kamran Ghulam and Saud Shakeel to leave the visitors struggling at 18/3. Kagiso Rabada’s early success put Pakistan on the back foot.
Earlier, South Africa made a huge score of 615 runs First inningsRyan Rickelton’s career-best innings of 259, the joint-seventh highest score by a South African in Test cricket.
Rickelton faced 343 balls and hit 29 fours and 3 sixes. He was dismissed after staying at the crease for 10 hours, Mohammad Abbas caught off Mir Hamza. Rickelton put on big partnerships, including a 235-run partnership with captain Temba Boma (106) and a 148-run partnership with Kyle Vereen (100).
South Africa lost wickets early on the second day, including David Bedingham for five, but continued to pile on the runs with the partnership of Marco Johnson (62) and Keshav Maharaj (40).
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: Aidan Markram, Ryan Rickelton, Wayne Mulder, Tristan Stubbs, Temba Boma (capt), David Bedingham, Kyle Vereen (wicket), Marco Johnson, Kesho Maharaj, Kagiso Rabada, Koena Mafaka.