Lahore (Web Desk): South Africa closed the second day of the first Test in Lahore at 216 for six, still trailing Pakistan by 162 runs in response to the hosts’ first-innings total of 378 at Lahore's Gaddafi Stadium on Monday.
Tony de Zorzi anchored the innings with a determined 81 not out, defying Pakistan’s spinners after Noman Ali’s decisive breakthroughs tilted the match towards the home side.
Chasing Pakistan’s total, the visitors began steadily as Aiden Markram and Ryan Rickelton navigated the early overs confidently. Markram, having recently surpassed 3,000 Test runs, was dismissed for 20 by Noman Ali, who went on to claim four wickets.
Wiaan Mulder’s 17 and Rickelton’s composed 71 helped South Africa cross 150 before Salman Ali Agha ended their 94-run partnership. The lower order faltered soon after, with Tristan Stubbs, Dewald Brevis, and Kyle Verreynne falling quickly to Noman and Sajid Khan, leaving de Zorzi to hold the innings together.
Earlier, Pakistan had posted 378 after a solid batting effort led by Imam-ul-Haq’s 93 and Shan Masood’s 76 in a 161-run stand for the second wicket. Babar Azam reached the landmark of 3,000 ICC World Test Championship runs before falling for 23. Mohammad Rizwan contributed 75 and Salman Ali Agha struck 93 in a record sixth-wicket partnership for Pakistan against South Africa.
South Africa’s Senuran Muthusamy starred with the ball, taking career-best figures of six for 117, while Prenelan Subrayen added two wickets as the visitors bowled out Pakistan in 110.4 overs. The Test remains finely poised, with South Africa’s hopes resting on de Zorzi and Pakistan aiming to press their advantage on day three.