RAWALPINDI, Pakistan: South Africa staged a late fightback on the opening day of the second Test in Rawalpindi after Pakistan’s solid start.
By the close of play, Pakistan had reached 259-5 in 91 overs, with Saud Shakeel (42*) and Salman Ali Agha (10*) at the crease.
Pakistan’s Solid Start Falters
Resuming the final session at 177-3 after 62 overs, Shan Masood and Saud Shakeel had been building a solid partnership, with Masood approaching a Test century.
Pakistan crossed the 200-run mark in the 70th over as the pair continued to tick off runs, but the breakthrough came when Keshav Maharaj dismissed Masood for 87 off 176 balls, including two fours and three sixes. The wicket left Pakistan at 212-4 in the 73rd over.
The loss of Masood did not halt Pakistan’s progress immediately, as Mohammad Rizwan joined Saud at the crease.
However, Rizwan’s innings was cut short by Kagiso Rabada, who had him dismissed for 19 runs off 39 balls, including two boundaries.
Pakistan were left at 231-5, with the Proteas fighting back after a solid start from the hosts earlier in the day.
Early Partnerships and Setbacks
Earlier, Pakistan began their innings confidently in the morning session as openers Imam-ul-Haq and Abdullah Shafique found boundaries with ease.
Imam’s 35-ball 17 came to an abrupt end when Simon Harmer clean bowled him in the 13th over, ending a promising 35-run opening stand.
Shafique continued to play positively, mixing aggression with composure. Captain Shan Masood joined him at the crease and quickly made an impact, launching two towering sixes as Pakistan reached 65-1 after 20 overs.
Masood and Shafique brought up a 50-run stand in the 25th over, both players growing in confidence.
Masood and Shafique’s Partnership
By the time lunch arrived, Pakistan had moved to 95-1 in 30 overs. Masood, having made his 13th Test fifty, and Shafique, who had a slow start to the series, were solid at the crease.
Together, they added 111 runs for the second wicket, putting significant pressure on the South African bowlers.
However, Shafique was dismissed for 57 off 146 balls by Simon Harmer in the 50th over, leaving Pakistan at 146-2.
Babar Azam, the captain, joined Masood, but the pair managed just 21 runs before Babar was dismissed for 16 off 22 balls by Keshav Maharaj, leaving Pakistan at 167-3 in 56 overs.
Proteas’ Efforts in the Field
Despite a spirited performance from Pakistan’s batters, South Africa fought back with the ball in the latter stages of the day.
Simon Harmer and Keshav Maharaj both took two wickets each, while Kagiso Rabada added one to his tally.
Pakistan will resume on Day 2 with Saud Shakeel unbeaten on 42 off 105 balls and Salman Ali Agha on 10 off 25 deliveries, looking to build on a strong foundation.
South Africa, having regained some momentum, will look to break the remaining partnerships early to put pressure on the hosts.
Day 1 Summary:
Pakistan: 259-5 (91 overs)
Top scorers: Shan Masood 87, Abdullah Shafique 57, Saud Shakeel 42*.
South Africa: Simon Harmer 2-54, Keshav Maharaj 2-63, Kagiso Rabada 1-48.
