Pakistan End Day Three at 94/4, Leading by 23 Runs in Rawalpindi Test
Babar and Rizwan hold firm after Harmer’s early breakthroughs
Rawalpindi, Pakistan — Pakistan concluded day three of the second Test against South Africa at 94/4, holding a slender lead of 23 runs at the Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium on Wednesday. Despite a strong bowling display from Simon Harmer, who claimed three wickets, Babar Azam and Mohammad Rizwan stood firm, guiding Pakistan through a difficult period after a top-order collapse.
Pakistan resumed their second innings on a shaky note, losing Imam-ul-Haq early for just nine runs, with Harmer striking the first blow. Harmer’s lethal spell continued as he dismissed captain Shan Masood for a duck, leaving Pakistan reeling at 16/2 after just six overs.
South Africa’s Kagiso Rabada piled on the pressure by removing Abdullah Shafique for six runs, further denting Pakistan’s hopes. At 16/3, Pakistan found themselves in deep trouble, but Saud Shakeel and Babar Azam fought back, building a crucial 44-run partnership to stabilize the innings. The pair helped Pakistan reach 55/3 in 18 overs, but Harmer returned to break the stand, dismissing Shakeel for 11 off 43 balls.
Mohammad Rizwan then joined Babar at the crease, and together they guided Pakistan past the 71-run mark, giving the team a slim lead. At stumps, Babar was on 49 off 83 balls, while Rizwan stood at 16 off 49, with the hosts needing to continue their fight on day four.
South Africa’s Strong First Innings Sets the Stage
Earlier, South Africa posted 404 runs in response to Pakistan’s first-innings total of 333. The Proteas’ top-order began solidly with Ryan Rickelton and captain Aiden Markram, though Pakistan’s bowlers managed to chip away at the partnership. Markram’s 32 and Rickelton’s 14 were followed by contributions from Tony de Zorzi and Tristan Stubbs, who put together a 100-run third-wicket stand, helping South Africa reach 166/2 at tea.
Pakistan finally found success when Asif Afridi dismissed de Zorzi for 55, and he soon followed it up with another key wicket, sending Dewald Brevis back for a duck. Asif’s remarkable form continued as he claimed three more wickets, finishing with a career-best 6/79 in 34.3 overs.
The tail end of South Africa’s innings saw resistance from Senuran Muthusamy and Kagiso Rabada. Muthusamy’s 89* helped South Africa cross 350, with Rabada contributing an explosive 71 off 61 balls. Pakistan eventually wrapped up the innings when Asif dismissed Rabada, leaving South Africa all out for 381.
Babar and Rizwan’s Crucial Stand
As Pakistan begins their second innings with a slim lead, the challenge is now on Babar Azam and Mohammad Rizwan to continue building partnerships and set a challenging total for the Proteas. With Harmer and Rabada in top form, the day four session promises to be crucial for both teams in deciding the outcome of this tightly contested match.
