Lahore (Web Desk): South Africa fought their way back into the contest on the third day of the opening Test at Gaddafi Stadium as Pakistan’s batting lineup unraveled in dramatic fashion, setting the visitors a 277-run target for victory.
Despite a healthy overall lead of 250 runs, Pakistan’s innings fell apart in the evening session, losing seven wickets in a swift collapse from 150 for 4 to 167 all out.
Resuming after lunch at 36 for 2, Abdullah Shafique and Babar Azam looked steady, adding 31 runs before Senuran Muthusamy broke through, removing Abdullah for 41. Babar held the innings together, pushing the total beyond 200 and forming a 50-run partnership with Saud Shakeel. However, Kagiso Rabada struck at a crucial moment, dismissing Babar for 42 and triggering a middle-order slide that left Pakistan reeling at 119 for 4.
Saud contributed a gritty 38 before once again falling prey to Muthusamy, who continued to torment the home side’s batting order. At tea, Pakistan stood at 150 for 5 with Mohammad Rizwan unbeaten on 14, but the rest of the lineup offered little resistance. Rizwan, Shaheen Afridi, Salman Agha, and Nauman Ali departed in quick succession, leaving Pakistan bowled out for 167.
Muthusamy was outstanding with the ball, claiming 5 for 57, while Simon Harmer complemented him with 4 for 51. Rabada also accounted for the crucial wicket of Babar Azam.
Earlier in the day, South Africa had been bundled out for 269 after Tony de Zorzi crafted a superb century, scoring 104 with poise and patience, while Ryan Rickelton chipped in with a well-made 71. For Pakistan, Nauman Ali led the bowling effort with 6 for 112, assisted by Sajid Khan’s three wickets and one from Salman Agha.
When Pakistan began their second innings in the morning session, the start was far from ideal. Imam-ul-Haq fell for a duck to Simon Harmer with the score on just two. Shan Masood (7) joined Abdullah Shafique in a short-lived 31-run stand before Harmer struck again to dismiss the left-hander.
On Day 2, Pakistan’s first innings had also ended in disappointment after they collapsed from 352 for 5 to 378 all out, undone by Muthusamy’s brilliance. The left-arm spinner registered his career-best Test figures of 6 for 117 in 32 overs. Imam-ul-Haq and Salman Agha both played key roles with identical scores of 93, narrowly missing out on centuries.
Chasing Pakistan’s first-innings total of 378, South Africa’s openers Aiden Markram and Ryan Rickelton provided a solid foundation before Noman Ali struck to remove Markram for 45. Wiaan Mulder added 17 in a steady 35-run partnership with Rickelton but also fell to Noman soon after.
De Zorzi then joined Rickelton to stitch together a fluent 94-run partnership that kept Pakistan’s bowlers at bay. Rickelton eventually perished for 71 to Salman Agha, while De Zorzi carried on to reach a fine hundred—the highest score of the match so far.
With Pakistan’s second-innings collapse handing South Africa a chase of 277, the Test is now finely poised heading into the fourth day.