When stumps were drawn, Pakistan had reached 94/4 in their second innings, holding a 23-run lead over the Proteas.
Pakistan were up against the ropes on Wednesday after an incredible effort by South Africa’s tail-end batters put the tourists in charge on day three of the second Test in Rawalpindi.
At the close of play, Pakistan had reached 94/4 in their second innings, holding a 23-run lead over the Proteas with six wickets in hand. Babar Azam was on 49 not out and fellow middle-order batter Mohammad Rizwan was unbeaten on 16.
With the Proteas’ frontline bowlers reducing the hosts to 16/3 within the first seven overs of Pakistan’s second innings (led by spinner Simon Harmer who took 3/26) Babar was spearheading a recovery attempt, though he needed more support on Thursday if his team were going to put up a fight for victory.
Proteas first innings
Earlier on Wednesday, after resuming their first innings at 185/4, trailing the hosts by 148 runs, the Proteas were in a spot of trouble at 235/8 midway through the morning session.
However, some spectacular batting from the lower-order batters gave them a 71-run first innings lead, as they reached a total of 404 before they were bowled out shortly ahead of the tea break.
All-rounder Senuran Muthusamy hit an unbeaten 89 runs – a career best in his seventh Test match – after spending nearly four hours at the crease, and he was well supported by the Proteas’ specialist bowlers.
Muthusamy shared 71 runs with fellow spin bowler Keshav Maharaj (30) for the ninth wicket, and he combined in a remarkable 98-run partnership with Kagiso Rabada, who contributed 71 runs off just 61 balls in an innings which featured four sixes.
‘Exemplary’ effort
It was Rabada’s first half-century in his 73rd Test for the Proteas, and his maiden fifty in any format of the game at any level, while his partnership with Muthusamy was the fourth highest by a South African pairing for the 10th wicket.
“KG (Rabada) was exemplary. It was an innings of the highest standard,” said Muthusamy, who was given only four overs with the ball in Pakistan’s first innings, but made up for his absence from the bowling attack with a stellar batting effort.
“I think the ball striking in those conditions was superb. He’s such a naturally free-flowing batter and that was an incredible innings for him.
“I ended up playing a bit of a supporting role as the innings went on because he was just seeing it so nicely and hitting it so cleanly.
“It was a fantastic partnership and one that we will remember, and hopefully he has put us in a strong position to win the game.”
Spin bowler Asif Afridi led Pakistan’s frustrated attack, with the 38-year-old player taking 6/79 in his debut Test.
