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Fans erupt as Babar Azam, Shan Masood partnership keeps Pakistan alive after South Africa’s follow-up in Cape Town Test



The second test between south africa i Pakistan in Johannesburg it has been an entertaining contest, with South Africa dominating early and Pakistan showing resilience late in the game. South Africa’s first innings saw a mammoth total of 615, led by Ryan Rickelton‘s double century and centuries of Temba Bavuma i Kyle Verreynne. Pakistan’s response faltered as they were dismissed for a paltry 194, with Kagiso Rabada i Marco Jansen brilliant with the ball.

Forced to move on, Pakistan put up an impressive fight thanks to Shan MasoodUnbeaten century and Babar Azam composed 81 as the duo added 205 for the opening cover. For strains on day 3, Pakistan had reached 213/1, reducing the deficit to 208 runs. The battle is now up for grabs, with both teams eyeing key moments to take control. Day 4 promises to be an exciting chapter in this high-stakes test.

South Africa’s dominance with the bat

South Africa showed their batting supremacy with an impressive total of 615 runs in their first innings. The highlight of his performance was Rickelton’s masterful knock of 259 runs, which was a display of precision and patience. His innings, laced with 29 boundaries and three towering sixes, laid the foundation for the Proteas’ commanding total. Bavuma contributed a captain’s knock of 106, showing great courage and determination at the crease.

Verreynne also joined the centurion club, making a fluent 100 runs that added depth to South Africa’s batting efforts. Further down the order, Jansen’s quickfire 62 further demoralized the Pakistani bowlers. Mohammad Abbas i Agha Salman were the pick of the bowlers for Pakistan, each taking three wickets, but struggled to stem the flow of runs. South Africa’s relentless aggression left Pakistan looking at an uphill battle from the outset.

Pakistan’s struggles in the first innings

Pakistan’s first innings was a tale of disappointment and missed opportunities as the visitors could only muster 194 runs. Babar tried to anchor the innings with a fighting 58, but the lack of support from other batsmen proved costly. The top-order collapse left Pakistan reeling, with South Africa’s pace duo of Rabada and Jansen exploiting every weakness. Rabada’s three-wicket haul was marked by relentless pace and pinpoint accuracy.

Keshav Maharaj he added to the misery with two crucial dismissals, showing his shrewdness on a pitch that offered little spin. Pakistan’s middle and lower order crumbled under sustained pressure, with no batsman stepping up to stabilize the innings. The massive deficit of 421 runs forced Pakistan to continue, a scenario that tested their stamina. The first innings exposed the visitors’ frailties against quality bowling in testing conditions.

Also WATCH: South African commentator mocks Pakistan players’ English speaking abilities on Day 2 of Cape Town Test

Shan Masood and Babar Azam lead the fight

Having been forced to go on, Pakistan showed remarkable resolve, led by Masood’s unbeaten century. Masood’s 102 off 166 balls was an innings of defiance and technical brilliance, ensuring his team avoided an immediate collapse. Former skipper Babar complemented him with a composed knock of 81, showing his ability to absorb pressure in difficult circumstances. Together, the duo forged a crucial opening partnership of 205 runs, laying a solid foundation for Pakistan’s fightback.

Their partnership frustrated South Africa’s bowlers, who struggled to find breakthroughs in a field that had been reduced considerably. Masood’s range of elegant strokes and Azam’s precise shot selection kept the scoring going steadily. By the end of Day 3, Pakistan reached 213/1, significantly reducing the deficit to 208 runs. The spirited batting display revived hopes of saving the match and set the stage for an intriguing Day 4.

South Africa’s bowling efforts in the second innings

South Africa’s bowlers worked tirelessly in the second innings but found limited success against Pakistan’s rejuvenated top order. Jansen was the lone wicket-taker, dismissing Babar with a well-directed short delivery that ended the crucial opening stand. Maharaj bowled with exceptional control, tying up one end with his precise line and length. Despite their efforts, the pitch seemed to have flattened out, offering little assistance to the bowlers.

Rabada and Ngidi tried to extract pace and bounce but were largely neutralized by the disciplined approach of Masood and Azam. The South African fielders, however, maintained high energy levels, preventing easy runs and applying pressure. The bowlers persisted with the attacking fields, looking for breakthroughs that could tilt the game back in their favour. South Africa will aim to regroup and strategize overnight to break Pakistan’s momentum on the penultimate day.

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READ also: PSL Draft 2025: Here is the complete list of players retained by the 6 teams: Babar Azam to Mohammad Rizwan





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