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The second Test between South Africa and Pakistan at Johannesburg has been a entertaining contest, with South Africa dominating early and Pakistan showing resilience late in the match. South Africa’s first innings saw a colossal total of 615, led by Ryan Rickelton’s double-century and centuries from Temba Bavuma and Kyle Verreynne. Pakistan’s reply faltered as they were dismissed for a meager 194, with Kagiso Rabada and Marco Jansen shining with the ball.
Forced to follow on, Pakistan staged an impressive fightback, thanks to Shan Masood’s unbeaten century and Babar Azam’s composed 81, as the duo added 205 for the opening wicket. By stumps on Day 3, Pakistan had reached 213/1, narrowing the deficit to 208 runs. Th♚e battle now hangs in the balance, with both teams eyeing key moments to seize control. Day 4 promises to be an e💧nthralling chapter in this high-stakes Test.
South Africa’s dominance with the bat
South Africa showcased their batting supremacy with an imposing total of 615 runs in their f🥃irst innings. The highlight of their performance was Rickelton’s masterful knock of 259 runs,🌸 which was an exhibition of precision and patience. His innings, laced with 29 boundaries and three towering sixes, set the foundation for the Proteas’ commanding total. Bavuma contributed a captain’s knock of 106, showing immense grit and determination at the crease.
Verreynne also joined the centurion’s club, striking a fluid 100 runs that added depth to South Africa’s batting efforts. Lower down the order, Jansen’s quick-fire 62 further demoralized the Pakistani bowlers. Mohammad Abbas and Agha Salman were the pick of the bowlers for Pakistan, each taking three wickets, but they struggled to stem the flow of runs. South Africa’s relentless aggression left Pakistan staring at an uphill battle from the outset.
Pakistan’s struggles in the first innings
Pakistan’s first innings was a story of disappointment and missed opportunities, as the visitors could only muster 194 runs. Babar tried to anchor the 💖innings with a figh♛ting 58, but the lack of support from other batters proved costly. The top-order collapse left Pakistan reeling, with South Africa’s pace duo of Rabada and Jansen exploiting every weakness. Rabada’s fiery three-wicket haul was marked by unrelenting pace and pinpoint accuracy.
Keshav Maharaj added to the misery with two crucial dismissals, showc🐎asing his guile on a pitch that offered little spin. Pakistan’s middle and lower order fell apart under sustained pressure, with no batter stepping up to stabilize the innings. The massive deficit of 421 runs forced Pakistan to follow on, a scenario that put their resilience to the ultimate test. The first innings exposed the visitors’ frailties against quality bowling♊ in testing conditions.
Also WATCH: South African commentator mocks Pakistan players’ English-speaking 🌟capabilities on Day 2 of the Cape Town Test
Shan Masood and Babar Azam lead the fightback
After being forced to follow on, Pakistan displayed remarkable determination, led by 🎐Masood’s unbeaten century. Masood’s 102 off 166 balls was an innings of defiance and technical brilliance, ensuring his team avoided an immediate collapse. Former skipper Babar complemented him with a composed knock of 81, showcasing his ability to absorb pressure in challenging circumstances. Together, the duo forged a crucial 205-run opening partnership, laying a solid foundation for Pakistan’s fightback.
Their partnership frustrated South Africa’s bowlers, who struggled to find breakthroughs on a pitch that had eased considerably. Masood’s array of elegant strokes and Azam’s precise shot selection kept the scoreboard ticking steadily. By the end of Day 3, Pakistan reached 213/1, significantly reduci𒐪ng the deficit to 208 runs. The spirited batting display revived hopes of salvaging the match and set the stage for an intriguing Day 4.
South Africa’s bowling efforts in the second innings
South Africa’s bowlers worked tirelessly in the second innings but found limited success against Pakistan’s rejuvenated top order. Jansen was the lone wicket-taker, dismissing Babar with a well-directed short delivery that ended the crucial opening stand. Maharaj bowled with exceptional control, tying down one end with 🅺his precise line and length. Despite their efforts, the pitch seemed to have flattened out, offering little assistance to the bowlers.
Rabada and Ngidi tried to extract pace and bounce but were largely neutralized by Masood and Azam’s disciplined approach. The South African fielders, however, maintained high energy levels, preventing easy runs and applying pressure. The bowlers persisted with attacking fields, searching for breakthroughs that could tilt the game back in their favor. South Africa will aim to regroup and strategize overnight to break Pakistan’s momentum on the penultimaꦉte day.
Here’s how fans reacted:
Brilliant Batting
Shan Masood, Babar Azam set new record against South Aꦐfrica— Rashid Latif | 🇵🇰 (@iRashidLatif68)
Nazar Na Lagay
Babar Class is permanent &
Form also back
♥️Shan Masood & Babar Azam 🥶
— Abdul Ghaffar 🇵🇰 (@GhaffarDawnNews)
Shan Masood & Babar Azam… pure class so far!
This is one of the best opening Test partnership I’ve s𓆉een in a long time, both look unbeatable right now. Long may it continue, nee💛d one of them to get the big hundred to save this match.
— Raz Khan (@razkhan789)
This ♋has been a spirited effort by Shan and Babar in t🐠he third innings.
Both💛 batters have crossed fifty, and are looking like a million bucks out there.
— Behram Qazi 🇵🇰 🇨🇦 (@DeafMango)
PCꦜB cannot remove Shan Masood from test captaincy of Pakistan for World Test Championship 2025-27.
— Arfa Feroz Zake (@ArfaSays_)
6th Test century for Shan Masood! An excellent knock by the Paki🥂stan skipper. |
— Sanan Arshad (@Sanan_Here)
That's a great knock by Shan Masood. Captain's knock under pressure.
— Dale (@ncakos316)
Babar Azam's shot was a tribute to Virat Kohli otherwise he was all set for a well deserved century!
— Basit Subhani (@BasitSubhani)
A good end to the day for Pakistan is marred by Babar's wicket but Shan Masood still there on 102*
213-1
— ThePoppingCrease (@PoppingCreaseSA)
The Prot🅷eas really should’ve batted again and not enforced the follow-on eh?
— naeemah (@NaeemahBenjamin)
MOHAMMED BABAR AZAM HAS TO BE✤ THE MOST♏ UN-LUCKIEST PLAYER IN THE WORLD CRICKET.
Excellenꦉt fighting innings KING. Deserved a CENTURY!
— Zubair Shakeel Wani (@ZubiTalks)
That's a quality Shan Masood test 💯
— Lawrence Bailey ⚪ 🇿🇦 (🍸@LawrenceBailey0)
