Day two of the inaugural Test match between Pakistan and South Africa in Lahore proved to be a spinner’s paradise. Pakistani left-arm wizard Noman Ali emerged as the day’s hero, bagging four crucial wickets to restrict South Africa to a total of 216-6 by the close of play. Despite the spin onslaught, South African opener Tony de Zorzi showcased immense grit, anchoring his team’s innings with an unbeaten half-century.
The Gaddafi Stadium pitch offered significant turn and bounce, with all 11 wickets falling exclusively to spinners throughout the day. Earlier, South African left-arm spinner Senuran Muthusamy capitalized on the conditions, achieving his career-best figures of 6-117 as he efficiently bowled out Pakistan for 378.
As the stumps were drawn, Tony de Zorzi stood firm at a commendable 81 not out, with Muthusamy alongside him on six runs. South Africa currently trails Pakistan’s first innings score by 162 runs.
De Zorzi’s resilient knock was a blend of patience and aggression, featuring nine well-timed boundaries and a towering six. He expertly navigated Noman Ali’s testing deliveries, with Ali finishing the day with impressive figures of 4-85.
South Africa’s innings began with a promising 45-run opening stand before Noman Ali initiated the breakthroughs. He dismissed captain Aiden Markram for 20 and Wiaan Mulder for 17, both falling victim to Mohammad Rizwan’s sharp wicketkeeping.
Ryan Rickelton and de Zorzi then forged a vital 94-run partnership for the third wicket, bringing stability to the Proteas’ innings. Rickelton contributed a brisk 71 runs, including two sixes and nine boundaries, before being caught in the slips by Babar Azam off the bowling of part-time spinner Salman Agha.
Noman Ali continued to trouble the batsmen, returning to dismiss Tristan Stubbs for eight and Kyle Verreynne for two. Sajid Khan also made his mark, sending Dewald Brevis back to the pavilion for a golden duck.
Earlier in the day, Pakistan’s innings, which had resumed at 313-5, experienced a rapid collapse. They lost their final five wickets for a mere 16 runs, being bowled out for 378. Salman Agha, who had played a pivotal role in the middle order, saw his innings of 93 (featuring five fours and three sixes) conclude when Prenelan Subrayen took a catch in the deep. Subrayen finished with an economical 2-78.
Before the collapse, Agha and Mohammad Rizwan had extended their formidable sixth-wicket partnership to an impressive 163 runs. Rizwan’s well-compiled innings of 75, which included two fours and two sixes, was ended by Muthusamy’s turning delivery, caught by Verreynne. Noman Ali and Sajid Khan quickly followed, both departing without scoring, and Shaheen Shah Afridi was bowled for seven, handing Muthusamy his sixth wicket of the innings. This exceptional display surpassed Muthusamy’s previous Test best of 4-45, recorded against Bangladesh last year.
_Image: Pakistan’s Noman Ali (second right) celebrating with his teammates after taking the wicket of South Africa’s Kyle Verreynne on the second day of the first Test match._