RAWALPINDI: Pakistan’s poor batting performance left South Africa needing just 68 runs to win the Rawalpindi Test after a dramatic collapse on the fourth day of play.
From the start of the day’s play, Pakistan found themselves in deep trouble as wickets tumbled quickly in the first session. Captain Babar Azam, who resumed his innings on 50, was the first to fall, followed by Salman Ali Agha with 28 runs and Sajid Khan with 13.
Earlier, Pakistan had begun their second innings trailing by 71 runs. However, the top order failed to deliver once again — Imam-ul-Haq, captain Shan Masood, Abdullah Shafique, and Saud Shakeel managed only 9, 0, 6, and 11 runs respectively — leaving the team under immense pressure.
In the first innings, Pakistan had posted 333 runs, but South Africa replied strongly with 404, securing a crucial 71-run lead. The visitors’ lower-order batsmen played pivotal roles in extending their advantage, showing remarkable resilience and partnership-building.
Keshav Maharaj and Senuran Muthusamy put together a solid 71-run stand, while Muthusamy and fast bowler Kagiso Rabada added another 98 runs. Later, Muthusamy combined with Marco Jansen for 25 more runs, and the pair of Tristan Stubbs and Tony de Zorzi piled up 113 runs. In total, South Africa’s last three wickets contributed an impressive 194 runs.
For Pakistan, Asif Afridi was the standout performer with the ball, taking six wickets. Nauman Ali claimed two, while Shaheen Afridi and Sajid Khan took one wicket each.
With Pakistan’s batting lineup failing to resist South Africa’s disciplined bowling attack, the hosts now face an uphill task as the visitors chase a modest target to clinch the Rawalpindi Test.
