Key points
- Muthusamy takes six wickets
- Salman Ali Agha scores impressive 93 runs
- Rizwan adds 75 in record sixth-wicket stand
LAHORE: Senuran Muthusamy produced a superb six-wicket haul to help South Africa dismiss Pakistan for 378 in the first session of day two of the opening Test at the Gaddafi Stadium on Monday.
Pakistan resumed on 313 for five, with Salman Ali Agha and Mohammad Rizwan continuing their overnight stand on 62 and 52 respectively. The pair batted confidently, extending their partnership to 163 runs — Pakistan’s highest sixth-wicket stand against South Africa at home.
However, Muthusamy broke the partnership by removing Rizwan for a well-crafted 75 off 140 balls, including two fours and two sixes.
The left-arm spinner then dismissed Noman Ali and Sajid Khan in the same over, both without scoring, to complete his five-wicket haul. He later bowled Shaheen Afridi for seven to finish with figures of 6 for 117 in 32 overs. Prenelan Subrayen claimed the final wicket, dismissing Salman for a composed 93 off 145 balls, featuring five fours and three sixes.
Poor start
Earlier, on day one, Pakistan had recovered strongly from a poor start after opener Abdullah Shafique fell LBW to Kagiso Rabada for two in the first over. Captain Shan Masood and Imam-ul-Haq steadied the innings with a 161-run partnership for the second wicket. Shan made 76, while Imam scored 93 before falling to Subrayen.
Babar Azam contributed 23 and also achieved a major milestone, becoming the first Pakistani and eighth player overall to surpass 3,000 runs in ICC World Test Championship history. Saud Shakeel departed for a first-ball duck, leaving Pakistan at 199 for four before Rizwan and Salman rebuilt the innings.
Pakistan’s total of 378 provides a competitive platform as South Africa prepare to start their first innings later in the day, with Muthusamy’s performance giving the visitors early momentum.
