Pakistan’s struggle continued in the second Test at Newlands Cricket Ground, Cape Town, as they resumed their first innings on Day 3 at 64/3, trailing South Africa’s hefty total of 615.
The visitors faced early challenges, having suffered a dismal start to their innings on the second day.
Pakistan’s hopes rested on the shoulders of Babar Azam (31*) and Mohammad Rizwan (9*) as they looked to stabilize the innings.
The pair added 88 runs for the fourth wicket, but the partnership was broken when Kwena Maphaka dismissed Babar for 58.
At the end of the opening session, Pakistan were struggling at 155/6, with all-rounder Aamir Jamal and Khurram Shahzad at the crease.
Rizwan had earlier managed to form a brief 26-run partnership with Salman Ali Agha, but both were dismissed in quick succession.
Rizwan, who had scored 46 off 82 balls, was bowled out by Mulder while attempting an aggressive slog. Agha, contributing 19 off 22 balls, was stumped by wicketkeeper off Maharaj’s sharp spin in the 44th over, leaving Pakistan in a precarious position at 155/6.
On Day 2, Pakistan had lost three quick wickets, including their captain Shan Masood in the first over, followed by Kamran Ghulam and Saud Shakeel, leaving the visitors struggling at 18/3. Kagiso Rabada’s early breakthroughs put Pakistan on the back foot.
Earlier, South Africa scored massive 615 runs in their first innings, driven by Ryan Rickelton’s career-best knock of 259, the joint seventh-highest score by a South African in Test cricket.
Rickelton faced 343 balls and hit 29 fours and 3 sixes. He was dismissed after a 10-hour stay at the crease, caught by Mohammad Abbas off Mir Hamza. Rickelton shared big partnerships, including a 235-run stand with captain Temba Bavuma (106) and a 148-run partnership with Kyle Verreynne (100).
South Africa lost quick wickets early on the second day, including David Bedingham for five, but continued to pile on runs with contributions from Marco Jansen (62) and Keshav Maharaj (40).
Playing XI
Pakistan: Shan Masood (captain), Saim Ayub, Babar Azam, Kamran Ghulam, Saud Shakeel, Mohammad Rizwan (wk), Salman Agha, Aamer Jamal, Khurram Shahzad, Mohammad Abbas, Mir Hamza.
South Africa: Aiden Markram, Ryan Rickelton, Wiaan Mulder, Tristan Stubbs, Temba Bavuma (captain), David Bedingham, Kyle Verreynne (wk), Marco Jansen, Keshav Maharaj, Kagiso Rabada, Kwena Maphaka
