Rawalpindi, Oct 21 (UNI) South Africa clawed their way back into contention on the second day of the first Test against Pakistan at the Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium, reaching 185 for 4 at stumps after Keshav Maharaj’s brilliant seven-wicket haul had earlier bowled out the hosts for 333.
Resuming on their overnight score of 259 for 5, Pakistan’s hopes of building a large first-innings total were dashed by Maharaj’s skillful left-arm spin. The 34-year-old South African bowled with control and variation, exploiting the fourth-stump line and the natural turn on offer to claim 7 for 97 in 36.4 overs — his career-best figures away from home.
Saud Shakeel (66 off 147 balls) and Agha Salman (45 off 76) offered resistance in the morning session, adding 50 runs for the sixth wicket before the collapse began.
Salman was the first to fall, trapped lbw by Maharaj on review, and Shakeel soon followed when he edged to Aiden Markram at slip.
The tail offered little thereafter as Shaheen Afridi, Sajid Khan, and debutant Asif Afridi all fell cheaply. Asif, however, managed to strike his first international boundary before being bowled by Maharaj to end Pakistan’s innings at 333.
In response, South Africa made a steady start, with openers Markram and Ryan Rickelton surviving a probing new-ball spell from Shaheen Afridi. Rickelton (14) was dismissed edging behind to Mohammad Rizwan, while Markram looked fluent in his 32 before miscuing a lofted drive to Saud Shakeel off Sajid Khan.
Tony de Zorzi and Tristan Stubbs then steadied the innings with a composed century partnership for the third wicket. De Zorzi, who showed remarkable balance and composure against both pace and spin, reached his half-century from 86 balls with a mix of caution and aggression, striking one four and two sixes.
Tristan Stubbs, on the other hand, countered with a gritty 68 not out, reaching his fifty with a towering six over long-off off Sajid Khan.
Pakistan’s debutant spinner Asif Afridi gave his side a late boost, trapping de Zorzi lbw for 55 with a sharp-turning delivery to claim his maiden Test wicket, before removing Dewald Brevis for a duck — caught smartly by Agha Salman at slip. The double strike halted South Africa’s progress and brought the day’s contest back into balance.
At stumps, South Africa were 185 for 4 in 65 overs, trailing Pakistan by 148 runs, with Stubbs unbeaten on 68 and wicketkeeper Kyle Verreynne on 10.
With both sides having enjoyed strong sessions over the first two days, the match is delicately poised heading into the third day, where early wickets could tilt the balance in Pakistan’s favour, while a solid middle-order stand might help South Africa seize control.
Scores at Stumps, Day 2:
Pakistan 333 all out in 113.4 overs (Saud Shakeel 66, Agha Salman 45, Keshav Maharaj 7/102)
South Africa 185/4 in 65 overs (Tristan Stubbs 68*, Tony de Zorzi 55, Shaheen Afridi 1/43, Asif Afridi 2/24, Sajid Khan 1/55)
South Africa trail by 148 runs.
