South Africa vs Pakistan 2nd Test Day 1 Highlights: Ryan Rickelton, Temba Bavuma Put South Africa In Command

We are back for Pakistan's reply with the bat! The umpires make their way out to the middle and are followed closely by the South Africans who are spreading across to take the field. It will be Babar Azam to open alongside Shan Masood in Saim Ayub's absence. Remember, Pakistan are a batter short and will be desperate for a strong start. Kagiso Rabada has the new ball in hand and will start the proceedings for South Africa! Away we go!

... SECOND INNINGS ...

Marco Jansen and Keshav Maharaj's cameos made sure Proteas went past the 600-run mark before being bundled out. Amidst the flurry of runs, Salman Agha quietly made his mark, chipping in with three crucial wickets, while the ever-reliable Mohammad Abbas also finished with three scalps to his name. Now, staring at 615 runs on the board and Saim Ayub unavailable, Pakistan face an uphill battle. The odds are stacked against them, but they’ll need to take it one step at a time, focus on batting deep, and start positively. On the other hand, South Africa will look to strike early and set their sights on bowling Pakistan out twice to seal the match. Pakistan’s reply to follow!

However, what followed completely changed the complexion of the game. A massive 235-run partnership between Rickelton and Bavuma allowed South Africa to dictate terms. Both batters brought up commanding centuries, with Bavuma falling just before the close of Day 1. Pakistan came out with renewed intent on the second morning, making the second new ball talk by removing David Bedingham. Yet, they couldn’t maintain control, allowing another flourishing partnership. Rickelton went on to notch his maiden double century, while Verreynne shifted into overdrive, dismantling the bowlers with a flurry of boundaries to notch up his 100.

After losing the toss and being asked to bowl first, Pakistan started brilliantly with the new ball. Despite a strong opening stand, they kept their patience and were rewarded with the breakthrough of Aiden Markram. The visitors capitalized further, dismissing Mulder and Stubbs in quick succession to gain a slight edge.

Pakistan finally manage to wrap up the tail and bring the innings to a close but for the second time in less than 6 months, they have conceded in excess of 600 runs and thrice in excess of 550. South Africa are bowled out for a mammoth 615, leaving Pakistan with a mountain to climb. This remarkable effort was headlined by Ryan Rickelton’s stunning double century, a truly memorable knock. He was brilliantly supported by skipper Temba Bavuma, who crafted a composed century, and Kyle Verreynne, whose attacking ton added to the visitors’ woes.

OUT! BOWLED! DONE IT THIS TIME! South Africa has been bowled out for 615! This last partnership hasn't bothered much for Pakistan. Third for Abbas as he bowls this on a good length, around off, nipping back in, from around the wicket, Kwena Maphaka tries to defend it with the full face of the bat but plays well inside the line. The ball zips past the outside edge and rattles the stumps. The debutant doesn't make any addition to the scorecard and departs for a duck.

A huge cheer from the crowd as Kwena Maphaka has defended it solidly! Slightly fuller than good length, just outside off, Kwena Maphaka comes forward and blocks it off the front foot.

Good length, around middle, coming in, from around the stumps, Kagiso Rabada tucks it to deep fine leg for a single.

A huge cheer as the debutant Kwena Maphaka makes his way out to bat for South Africa!

OUT! CAUGHT BEHIND! Khurram Shahzad gets his second! Short of a length, over middle, Keshav Maharaj swivels back and looks to pull but the extra bounce and pace on offer don't allow him to connect right. He only manages to get an outside edge that lobs back to the keeper Mohammad Rizwan who takes a simple catch. His 6th catch in the inning and South Africa lose their ninth.

Is that out? Keshav Maharaj has started to walk off! An appeal for caught behind and it seemed like the umpire wasn't convinced, but Maharaj walks away.

Full, on off, Kagiso Rabada drives it to long off for a single.

Length, on off, Keshav Maharaj taps it to the left of the bowler and gets to the other end. He moves into the 40s now!

Hits the deck hard, on a length, over middle, Keshav Maharaj backs away and cuts it hard but finds the fielder at point.

Full and outside off, Kagiso Rabada cracks his drive to the right of mid off for just a single.

Angling in, on a length, around middle and leg, Keshav Maharaj tucks it in front of deep mid-wicket and gets a single.

Slightly shorter than good length, around middle and leg, Keshav Maharaj hops back and nudges it wide of mid-wicket for a single. He is racing closely to his fifty.

Back of a length, around off, from over the wicket, Kagiso Rabada tucks it to deep square leg and runs in hard. He calls for a double but is sent back by Maharaj and will have to settle with a single only.

Hard length, outside off, angling away, Keshav Maharaj moves across again to slog it to the deep mid-wicket fence. Mohammad Abbas runs in from long on and dives in full to save the boundary. They get three runs.