Pakistan vs South Africa Highlights, 2nd Test Day 2

We are back for the last session! South African players are walking out to the middle and taking their respective field positions. Imam-ul-Haq and Abdullah Shafique are the two openers for Pakistan. Kagiso Rabada has the new red cherry in his hand and is raring to go. Let's go...

... DAY 3, SESSION 3 ...

Shan Masood appeared short of ideas, shuffling through various tactics in search of the final two wickets, but Senuran Muthusamy stood firm, frustrating the bowlers with a mix of solid defense and smart scoring. He first found support in Keshav Maharaj, who played a crucial role in the resistance, before the momentum truly shifted when Kagiso Rabada joined him. Rabada counterattacked brilliantly, and the pair added a vital 98 runs for the last wicket before Asif Afridi finally claimed his sixth to end the innings. After spending so long in the field, Pakistan’s batters now face a challenging task, and it will be interesting to see what they consider a defendable total on this tricky surface. Join us in a bit for the final session.

Asif Afridi was the standout performer for Pakistan on debut, breaking that crucial partnership after both Tristan Stubbs and Tony de Zorzi had notched up well-made fifties. He struck again early on Day 3, leaving South Africa reeling at 235/8, still 98 runs ahead. But once the second new ball was taken, things began to unravel for the visitors - runs came freely, and a sloppy phase saw them drop three catches and miss a stumping within just 19 balls. Though Afridi registered an impressive five-wicket haul, support from the other bowlers was lacking on a pitch that kept low and offered sharp turn.

South Africa began their innings with measured caution, assessing the conditions before looking to accelerate, but Shaheen Afridi struck early, removing Ryan Rickelton and injecting life into the fielding side. Skipper Aiden Markram tried to counter with some crisp boundaries but fell just as he was settling in. From there, Tristan Stubbs and Tony de Zorzi steadied the ship brilliantly, stitching together a resilient 113-run stand off 223 balls. Their composed and calculated approach frustrated the bowlers and shifted the momentum, putting South Africa in a strong position while the hosts searched desperately for a breakthrough.

With that, it is TEA ON DAY 3! SESSION SUMMARY - 119 runs and 2 wickets in 25.3 overs! We’ve witnessed a remarkable fightback from South Africa, who not only closed in on Pakistan’s total but surged past it to take a lead of 71 runs. The turnaround was powered by a superb innings from Senuran Muthusamy, who expertly guided the lower order, scoring 89, while Kagiso Rabada produced a stunning counterattack, smashing his way to a career-best 71 and leaving the hosts thoroughly frustrated.

OUT! IN THE AIR... TAKEN! Asif Afridi gets his sixth wicket and the Proteas are all out! Afridi bowls it fuller, pitching it on off and turning it in. Kagiso Rabada looks to slog it away but fails to get underneath the delivery. The ball loops and flies toward the fielder in the long on region. It's Abdullah Shafique, who misjudges the ball at first but eventually does well to lean forward and take the catch near his shoelaces. South Africa ends up with a lead of 71 runs.

Tossed up, just outside off. Kagiso Rabada pushes it toward cover.

Fuller, on off and middle. Kagiso Rabada brings the full face of his bat and blocks it to his front.

Floated, fuller outside off. Senuran Muthusamy leans on the delivery and drives it gently toward cover.

Full, on middle and leg. Senuran Muthusamy flicks it toward the left of the bowler.

Pitches it up, around off. Kagiso Rabada knocks it from his front foot toward long off for a single.

Short, around off. Senuran Muthusamy camps back and punches it, opening his bat toward deep cover for a single.

Shorter, outside off. Kagiso Rabada rocks back and punches it toward sweeper cover for a single.

Pitches it up, on middle. Kagiso Rabada lunges and blocks it back to the bowler.

Asif Afridi drags his length back, on the sticks. Kagiso Rabada works it toward deep mid-wicket for a comfortable single.

Short, on middle. Kagiso Rabada dabs it down the deck.

Short and on leg, Senuran Muthusamy moves back and flicks it through mid-wicket for a single. 400 UP FOR SOUTH AFRICA!

Pitches it up, around off. Kagiso Rabada pushes it wide of the cover fielder and crosses for a single.

FOUR! This is exceptional from Kagiso Rabada! Asif Afridi bowls it tad fuller, just outside off, turns it in. Kagiso Rabada reverse sweeps it toward the deep third fence for a boundary.