Pakistan’s captain, Shan Masood, led from the front with a superb innings of 87 runs, guiding the home side to a strong total of 259 for five wickets by stumps on day one of the second Test in Rawalpindi. South Africa’s performance in the field was notably sloppy, yet their bowlers managed to keep the contest alive with some crucial breakthroughs.
As the sun sets on the first day, Saud Shakeel stands unbeaten on 42, with Salman Agha joining him on 10. This duo will look to build on Pakistan’s advantage when play resumes on the second morning, having successfully navigated a period of intense pressure from the visitors’ new ball attack.
South Africa will undoubtedly be frustrated by their inability to make deeper inroads into Pakistan’s batting order. A series of missed chances in the field proved costly on a pitch that, so far, has offered a true and consistent bounce for the batsmen.
Having won the toss for the second consecutive time in the series, Pakistan elected to bat first. The decision was likely influenced by expectations that the pitch will increasingly favor spin bowlers as the match progresses, a factor that could heavily influence the outcome with South Africa set to bat last.
Early in the innings, off-spinner Simon Harmer (2-75) provided a moment of brilliance, dismissing opener Imam-ul-Haq for 17 with a perfectly flighted delivery that pitched on leg stump and rattled the top of off, clearly demonstrating the turn available.
However, the Proteas quickly became their own worst enemies. As fielding opportunities went begging, Masood, alongside Abdullah Shafique (57), forged a resilient 111-run partnership for the second wicket, capitalizing on South Africa’s lapses.
Shafique eventually departed, caught down the leg-side off another Harmer delivery. Later, Babar Azam (16) fell to a sharp, diving catch at short-leg by Tony de Zorzi, finally giving South Africa a much-needed breakthrough, this time off the bowling of left-arm spinner Keshav Maharaj.
Maharaj (2-63) also claimed the prized wicket of Masood, who, after several reprieves, attempted a sweep shot and top-edged the ball straight to Marco Jansen at square-leg. It was a deserved reward for Maharaj’s persistence.
South Africa initially held back from taking the new ball, but once they did, Kagiso Rabada quickly made an impact, trapping Mohammad Rizwan (19) leg before wicket.
This match follows Pakistan’s 93-run victory in the first Test in Lahore. A defeat here would mark a disappointing start for South Africa in their defense of the World Test Championship crown as a new two-year cycle begins.