Seond Pakistan-SA Test evenly poised after day two

A century stand between Tristan Stubbs and Tony de Zorzi helped South Africa reach 185-4 in 65 overs at stumps on the second day of the second Test against Pakistan at the Pindi Stadium in Rawalpindi on Tuesday.

Earlier left-arm spinner Keshav Maharaj got 7-102 to fold Pakistan for 333 in their first innings. The Proteas still trail by 148 runs with six wickets in hand.

Earlier, it looked like South Africa would finish strongly as Stubbs and de Zorzi built a commanding 113-run partnership for the third wicket. However, debutant left-arm spinner Asif Afridi turned the tide late in the day claiming two quick wickets to bring Pakistan back into the contest.

South Africa had a shaky start after going to lunch at 9 without loss. The breakthrough came soon after the interval when Shaheen Afridi dismissed Ryan Rickelton, caught behind by Mohammad Rizwan for 14 off 26 balls, including one boundary.

Tristan Stubbs then joined skipper Aiden Markram and they tried to stabilize the innings. But off-spinner Sajid Khan struck at a crucial moment, removing Markram for 32 which came off 62 balls and had four fours and a six with a catch taken by Saud Shakeel at long-on. Markram’s dismissal left South Africa at 54-2.

Stubbs and de Zorzi then took control, guiding the visitors to 86-2 at tea. Post-tea, the duo batted fluently, mixing caution with aggression, especially against Pakistan’s spinners.

Just as South Africa seemed poised for a strong finish Asif Afridi provided a breakthrough under fading light. He trapped de Zorzi lbw for 55, his third Test half-century, coming off 86 balls and laced with two sixes and a four. Although the on-field umpire turned down the appeal, Pakistan reviewed successfully to claim Asif’s maiden Test wicket.

De Zorzi’s dismissal, with the score at 167-3, was followed by another quick blow. In his very next over Asif struck again, removing Dewald Brevis for a duck, brilliantly caught by Agha Salman at first slip.

At stumps Tristan Stubbs remained unbeaten on a well-constructed 68 off 149 balls, including six fours and a six, his second Test fifty. Accompanying him was wicket-keeper Kyle Verreynne, who was not out on 10.

Among the bowlers Asif Afridi impressed on debut with figures of 2-24 from 14 overs. He was supported by Shaheen Afridi (1-43) and Sajid Khan (1-55), keeping Pakistan in the hunt as the match heads into a crucial third day.

Earlier Pakistan had a solid start to their overnight score of 259-5. Saud Shakeel and Agha Salman were looking comfortable at the crease, stitching together a 70-run partnership for the sixth wicket. However, left-arm spinner Keshav Maharaj turned the tide decisively in South Africa’s favor.

Maharaj first broke the crucial stand by trapping Agha Salman lbw for 45. The batsman reviewed the decision but the call was upheld. Agha, who resumed the day on 10, struck five boundaries in his 76-ball innings.

Soon after Maharaj dismissed Saud Shakeel, who edged one to first slip where Aiden Markram took a sharp catch. Saud had earlier brought up his tenth Test fifty off 118 balls and went on to score 66 off 147 deliveries, smacking four boundaries. He had resumed the day on 42 and batted for 202 minutes.

Maharaj then ran through the tail, removing Shaheen Afridi (0), Sajid Khan (5) and debutant Asif Afridi (4) in quick succession wrapping up Pakistan’s innings for 333.

He finished with impressive figures of 7 for 102 in 42.4 overs, his third seven-fer in a Test innings and his first against Pakistan. Returning from a groin injury that kept him out of the previous Test at Lahore which Pakistan won by 93 runs, Maharaj made full use of a pitch that gradually began to assist spin after initially favoring the batsmen on Tuesday morning. It was Maharaj who started the proceedings on Day-2 with the ball still new.

With South Africa trailing 1-0 in the series Maharaj’s performance could prove crucial in this must-win match for the visitors.