Special Correspondent
Debutant left-arm spinner Asif Afridi produced a sensational late burst to reignite Pakistan’s chances on the second day of the second Test against South Africa at the Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium on Tuesday.
At stumps, South Africa reached 185 for four in 65 overs, trailing Pakistan’s first-innings total of 333 by 148 runs.
Afridi, playing his maiden Test, struck twice in quick succession just before the close of play, removing Tony de Zorzi and Dewald Brevis to shift the momentum in Pakistan’s favor.
South Africa’s middle-order revival halted
Earlier in the innings, South Africa appeared to have steadied themselves after losing both openers Aiden Markram (32 off 62 balls, 4x4s, 1×6) and Ryan Rickelton (14 off 26 balls, 1×4) with the score at 54 for two.
A composed partnership between Tristan Stubbs and first-Test centurion Tony de Zorzi then guided the visitors to safety. The pair added 113 runs for the third wicket, frustrating Pakistan’s bowlers for most of the final session.
However, just as South Africa looked set to close the day comfortably, Asif Afridi turned the tide. On the stroke of stumps, he trapped de Zorzi leg-before for 55 (93 balls, 1 four, 2 sixes), and moments later, dismissed Brevis for a duck, giving Pakistan a crucial breakthrough.
At the close of play, Tristan Stubbs was unbeaten on 68, while Kyle Verreynne remained not out on 10, as South Africa looked to rebuild on the third morning.
Pakistan’s morning collapse
Earlier in the day, Pakistan resumed their first innings on 259 for five, with Saud Shakeel unbeaten on 42 and Salman Ali Agha on 10. The pair added a valuable 70-run stand for the sixth wicket before Kagiso Rabada broke through, trapping Salman leg-before for 45 (76 balls, 5 fours).
Saud, who looked set for his fifth Test hundred, fell for 66 off 147 balls (4 fours), becoming one of Keshav Maharaj’s seven victims in a remarkable spell of left-arm spin bowling.
Pakistan’s lower order collapsed swiftly, losing the final five wickets for just 17 runs, as the innings folded for 333 in 113.4 overs.
Maharaj was the standout performer for South Africa with 7 for 102, while Rabada claimed 2 for 58.
With three days left in the match, Pakistan will look to capitalize on the spin-friendly conditions as Asif Afridi, alongside seasoned bowlers Shaheen Afridi and Hasan Ali, aim to bowl out South Africa cheaply and set up a strong second-innings platform.
For South Africa, much will depend on Stubbs’ overnight partnership with Verreynne as they seek to narrow the deficit and regain control in what has already been an enthralling contest in Rawalpindi.
Brief scores: Day 2 of 5
Pakistan – 333 all out in 113.4 overs
(Shan Masood 87, Saud Shakeel 66, Abdullah Shafique 57, Salman Ali Agha 45; Keshav Maharaj 7-102, Simon Harmer 2-75)
South Africa – 185 for 4 in 65 overs
(Tristan Stubbs 68 not out, Tony de Zorzi 55, Aiden Markram 32; Asif Afridi 2-24)
