Cape Town (Web Desk): In response to South Africa's imposing 615, Pakistan found themselves on the ropes, trailing by 421 runs after being bowled out for a mere 194 in their first innings on the third day of the second Test at the Newlands in Cape Town.
With little choice, the visitors were forced to follow-on, but they managed to show some grit in their second innings.
Shan Masood and Babar Azam played pivotal roles in the fightback, leading Pakistan to a steady 213/1 by the end of the day, still trailing South Africa by 208 runs.
Masood, in fine form, dug in and crafted an unbeaten 102, marking his sixth Test century. The opening batter showed composure and determination, staying strong in the face of pressure.
Babar, ever the class act, joined in the resistance with a well-made 81, but was dismissed just before reaching his own century, caught in the slip off Marco Jansen. His knock of 81 came off 124 balls, laced with 10 boundaries, and his departure brought in nightwatchman Khurram Shahzad, who survived the final overs to remain on 8*.
Earlier, Pakistan had little to cheer about as they were quickly bundled out for 194, losing their last three wickets for just 39 runs.
Rabada set the tone in the second session, dismissing Aamir Jamal early with a lethal bouncer. Hamza and Shahzad put up brief resistance, but neither could hold firm long enough, as Keshav Maharaj and Kwena Maphaka claimed the wickets.
The morning session had seen Pakistan hanging by a thread, sitting at 155/6, with Babar and Rizwan trying to fight back. Babar, who had been steady throughout the innings, fell for 58, while Rizwan contributed with 46 before being bowled out by Mulder.
The middle-order collapse continued with Agha's dismissal, leaving Pakistan in a dire position.
Despite the challenging scenario, Pakistan ended the day with a glimmer of hope, led by Masood’s defiance, though they still face an uphill battle, trailing by over 200 runs.
Playing XI
Pakistan: Shan Masood (captain), Saim Ayub, Babar Azam, Kamran Ghulam, Saud Shakeel, Mohammad Rizwan (wk), Salman Agha, Aamer Jamal, Khurram Shahzad, Mohammad Abbas, Mir Hamza.
South Africa: Aiden Markram, Ryan Rickelton, Wiaan Mulder, Tristan Stubbs, Temba Bavuma (captain), David Bedingham, Kyle Verreynne (wk), Marco Jansen, Keshav Maharaj, Kagiso Rabada, Kwena Maphaka.
