Day two of the Rawalpindi Test delivered captivating cricket as Pakistan’s 38-year-old debutant spinner, Asif Afridi, made a sensational entry, snagging two vital wickets against South Africa. The Proteas concluded the day at 185 for 4, still 148 runs shy of Pakistan’s first-innings total of 333. This came after a masterful bowling performance from South African spinner Keshav Maharaj, who wreaked havoc on an abrasive pitch, claiming an impressive 7 for 102.
Tristan Stubbs anchored South Africa’s innings with exceptional patience, remaining unbeaten on 68 runs from 184 deliveries, deftly navigating Pakistan’s relentless spin assault. He built a crucial 113-run partnership with Tony de Zorzi, who contributed 55 runs before eventually falling to Afridi’s debut brilliance.
Afridi’s debut performance was truly unforgettable. He first outsmarted de Zorzi, securing his wicket via a successful DRS review after an initial not-out call for leg before wicket. He then swiftly followed up by sending Dewald Brevis back to the pavilion for a duck, thanks to a sharp catch by Salman Ali Agha off the shoulder of the bat.
The day commenced with Pakistan at a respectable 259 for 5. Saud Shakeel and Agha skillfully built on their overnight total, extending their sixth-wicket partnership to a solid 70 runs. Shakeel reached his half-century off 118 balls, skillfully maneuvering Maharaj for a brace to square leg.
Keshav Maharaj, returning after missing the first Test due to a groin injury, completely dominated the morning session. He tore through Pakistan’s lower order, grabbing the final five wickets for a mere 15 runs. A noticeable improvement in South Africa’s fielding from day one saw them cling onto every opportunity.
Earlier in South Africa’s innings, Shaheen Shah Afridi bowled a fiery opening spell, claiming the wicket of Ryan Rickelton for 14 runs. Captain Aiden Markram contributed 32 runs before being caught at long-on from a delivery by Sajid Khan.
Pakistan, however, squandered crucial chances to dismiss both de Zorzi and Stubbs earlier in their innings. They notably failed to review a strong lbw appeal against de Zorzi when he was on just 5, and Sajid Khan couldn’t cling onto a sharp return catch from Stubbs.
De Zorzi, fresh from his century in the previous Test, adopted a more aggressive approach than his batting partner, reaching his fifty off 86 deliveries. Stubbs, on the other hand, celebrated his own half-century with a magnificent straight six off Sajid Khan.
Before Maharaj’s decisive intervention, the morning session featured tight bowling from Marco Jansen and Kagiso Rabada, though they struggled to find breakthroughs. Maharaj’s vital spell saw him dismiss Agha, who misjudged a straight delivery that struck his shin.
Maharaj continued his outstanding display, finding the outside edge of Shakeel’s bat, a chance Aiden Markram gratefully accepted, making up for a dropped catch on the first day. Even Shaheen Shah Afridi, recently named Pakistan’s ODI captain, fell victim to Maharaj, bowled for a duck.
Overall, South Africa’s bowling attack was led by Maharaj’s exceptional figures of 7 for 102. Simon Harmer contributed with 2 for 75, and Kagiso Rabada picked up 1 for 60. As stumps were drawn, wicketkeeper-batsman Kyle Verreynne was unbeaten on 10, batting alongside Stubbs.
The match remains finely balanced heading into day three. With South Africa still needing 148 runs on a pitch offering significant assistance to spinners, the onus will be on their remaining batsmen to reduce the deficit. Meanwhile, Pakistan’s spin attack will be eager to capitalize on their late Day 2 momentum and press for victory.