Centurion: Marco Johnson-rich Pakistan bounced back against South Africa as the side’s pace bowlers dismissed three back-to-back Proteas batsmen on the third day of the first Test at the SuperSport Park, Centurion on Saturday.
The pair of Mohammad Abbas and Khurram Shehzad struck early in the innings and put the home side under severe pressure as the former dismissed opener Tony de Zurry and the former dismissed his replacement Ryan Rickleton.
Abbas struck again and sent Tristan Stubbs off the pitch while danger man Aidan Markram remained on the ground and was supported by captain Temba Bawama.
At the start of Pakistan’s second innings, Johnson took six wickets as he wreaked havoc on the Pakistani batsmen, bowling them back to back. When the visitors resumed play at 88 for three, star batsmen Babar Azam and Saud Shakeel were on 16. Eight, respectively.
Both soon scored two runs and erased South Africa’s 90-run lead. Babar crossed the fifty-run mark and Saud remained standing with a score of 36.
The pair, in just 14 overs, took a 62-run lead for Pakistan. However, the joy was short-lived as Marco Johnson struck again and dismissed star batsman Babar for the third wicket of the innings to put Pakistan in further danger.
Babar’s wicket opened a flurry of wickets as Muhammad Rizwan, Salman Ali Agha and Aamir Jamal all returned to the pavilion after scoring modest runs, leaving Pakistan on 208-7 with Saud’s steady flow of runs.
Saud held firm despite Johnson’s onslaught and when the tea break was called, the batsman was on 66 and close to a ton within five overs, but that dream was cut short when the Proteas fast bowler struck again. Stayed.
Saud was out after a brilliant knock of 84 off just 113 balls, with Pakistan trailing by just 146 runs with one wicket to spare.
Earlier on the second day, Pakistan’s top order ran into trouble, losing three wickets early.
Left-handed batsman Saim Ayub was sent back to the pavilion for 27 after a brilliant start, falling to Kagiso Rabada for 49.
Next came captain Shaun Masood, who scored 28 before Tristan Stubbs was caught by Johnson on the third ball of the 16th over.
Kamran Ghulam, who scored 54 in the first innings, was dismissed for four in the second innings as Johnson struck again, leaving Pakistan at 74/3.
In reply to Pakistan’s total of 211, the Proteas scored 301 in the first innings to take a lead of 90 runs.
Reflecting on the conditions, Aidan Markram said it was a typical Centurion pitch that helped the fast bowlers.
“When I was batting, it felt like the ball could go past you at any moment,” he said.
Markram warned that South Africa will need to bowl well to press their advantage on Saturday.
Playing XI of Pakistan
Shaan Masood (captain), Saeem Ayub, Babar Azam, Kamran Ghulam, Mohammad Rizwan, Saud Shakeel, Salman Ali Agha, Aamir Jamal, Naseem Shah, Khurram Shahzad and Mohammad Abbas.
Playing XI of South Africa
Tony De Zorzi, Aidan Markram, Ryan Rickelton, Tristan Stubbs, Temba Boma (capt), 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.