Babar, Rizwan hold key as Pakistan stumble in second Test

South Africa took control of the second Test against Pakistan after securing a 71-run first-innings lead before reducing the home team to 94-4 at the close of day three at the Pindi Cricket Stadium on Wednesday.

Senuran Muthusamy (89*), along with Kagiso Rabada (71), played pivotal roles as the pair added 98 runs for the tenth wicket stand to propel South Africa to 404 all out in 119.3 overs. They had resumed their innings at 185-4, replying to Pakistan’s 333.

Debutant left-arm spinner Asif Afridi was the standout performer with the ball for Pakistan, claiming 6-79 in a memorable first Test appearance.

Currently, Pakistan holds a slender lead of 23 runs, with Babar Azam unbeaten on 49 and Mohammad Rizwan on 16 at the crease.

Proteas’ lower-order resilience

South Africa began the third day on the worst possible note, losing three wickets for 50 runs with the scoreboard reading 235-8. It was the debutant Asif Afridi who sparked a collapse, removing Kyle Verreynne (10), Tristan Stubbs (76) and Simon Harmer (2) in quick succession.

However, that was the moment when Keshrav Maharaj (30), Seran Muthusamy (89) and Kagiso Rabada (71) stood up for the visitors, preventing them from a substantial first-innings deficit.

The ninth and tenth wicket partnerships yielded a combined 169 runs, helping the visitors gain a valuable 71-run lead on a difficult surface.

Muthusamy's unbeaten 89 was the highlight of South Africa's innings. The left-hander displayed composure and finesse, striking eight boundaries during his 155-ball stay. His knock featured two crucial partnerships, 71 runs with Keshav Maharaj (30) for the ninth wicket and 98 runs with Kagiso Rabada for the tenth.

Rabada showcased his batting prowess by scoring a rapid 71 off just 61 deliveries, including four sixes and four boundaries. It was his maiden Test half-century, reached in only 38 balls.

Maharaj had earlier contributed a handy 30 from 53 balls, including three fours, before he was stumped by Rizwan off Noman Ali.

It was Afridi who finally broke the Muthusamy-Rabada stand, dismissing the latter when he holed out to Abdullah Shafique in the deep shortly before the tea break.

Afridi’s figures of 6-79 made him the oldest bowler to take five wickets on Test debut, surpassing England’s Charles Marriott, who held the record since 1933. Afridi achieved the feat at 38 years and 301 days, eclipsing Marriott’s 37 years and 332 days.

Pakistan’s stumbling reply

The home team’s second innings began poorly as Simon Harmer wreaked havoc, removing Imam-ul-Haq (9) and Shan Masood (0) in successive overs to reduce the hosts to 16-2.

Rabada then struck to dismiss Abdullah Shafique (6), deepening Pakistan’s woes at 20-3.

Saud Shakeel and Babar Azam added 44 for the fourth wicket, but Harmer struck again, removing Saud for 11 (43 balls, 1 four), caught at first slip by Aiden Markram.

Babar remained unbeaten on 49 off 83 balls with seven fours while Rizwan, who struggled early on, held firm with 16 not out, including one boundary.

At stumps, Harmer had taken 3-26 in 13 overs, while Rabada finished with 1-22 from five.