A back-to-back innings of 89 from Eden Markram — just 11 short of a ton — and a quick cameo from debutant Corbin Bush (81 off 93 balls) saw South Africa take a 90-run lead against Pakistan on the second day of the first Test. Got it. In response to Pakistan’s 211 in the first innings
Coming in to bat for the second innings, Pakistan suffered an early blow when power-pacer Kagiso Rabada struck and Saeem Ayub was dismissed for 28, leaving Pakistan just one run short of 50 runs.
Earlier in the first innings, Markram was under pressure after a low-scoring series for South Africa but he proved his worth to his team, leaving South Africa at Centurion with 31 runs to spare with five wickets to spare.
Markram’s steady flow of runs was a threat to Pakistan and, resuming after lunch, the batsmen dismissed South Africa for 213/8.
With the end of Markram’s innings, the Pakistan players found themselves back in the game. Still, a fiery cameo from Bosch overcame the team.
Bosh, along with Dean Patterson, kept scoring runs whenever the Pakistani bowlers gave them a chance. However, Pietersen’s contribution could not be extended further after he was dismissed for 12, ending South Africa’s first innings.
For Pakistan, Khurram Shehzad and Naseem Shah took three each while Aamir Jamal dismissed two South African batsmen.
Fast bowler Mohammad Abbas took a scalp while last batsman Saeem Ayub was dismissed.
South Africa were 82-3 and Markram and Temba Bawama put on another 54 runs before the skipper was dismissed, offered outside off Amir Jamal and caught for 31.
Bedingham was particularly attacking in his short spell at the crease, making 30 off 33 balls before Naseem Shah’s extra bounce to Kamran Ghulam at slip.
South Africa will need to win one of the two-match series against Pakistan to reach the WTC final at Lord’s in June, adding extra pressure to the competition.
They have won their last seven home Tests against Pakistan.
Playing XI of Pakistan
Shan Masood (c), Saim Ayub, Babar Azam, Kamran Ghulam, Muhammad Rizwan, Saud Shakeel, Salman Ali Agha, Aamir Jamal, Naseem Shah, Khurram Shehzad and Muhammad Abbas.
Playing XI of South Africa
Tony De Zorzi, Aidan Markram, Ryan Rickelton, Tristan Stubbs, Temba Boma (c), David Bedingham, Kyle Vereen, Marco Johnson, Kagiso Rabada, Dan Pietersen, and Corbin Bosh.
This is a developing story and will be updated with more details.