Second Test, Day 1: Pakistan 259 for 5 at stumps against South Africa

Rawalpindi (Web Desk): Pakistan concluded the first day of the second and final Test against South Africa at 259 for the loss of five wickets, wrapping up a day of determined batting and timely South African breakthroughs at the Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium on Monday.

After resuming the final session on 177 for three in 62 overs, captain Shan Masood and middle-order batter Saud Shakeel maintained composure and continued to build Pakistan’s total steadily.

The two looked comfortable at the crease, with Masood inching closer to a century as Pakistan crossed 200 runs in the 70th over.

Their partnership of 45 runs for the fourth wicket was finally broken when Keshav Maharaj dismissed Masood for a valiant 87 off 176 balls, featuring two boundaries and three towering sixes. The skipper’s departure left Pakistan at 212 for four.

Wicketkeeper-batter Mohammad Rizwan joined Saud Shakeel and looked to settle in before Kagiso Rabada ended his innings at 19 from 39 balls, which included two fours. When play ended for the day, Saud Shakeel remained not out on 42 from 105 deliveries, while Salman Ali Agha was unbeaten on 10 off 25 balls.

For the visitors, Keshav Maharaj and Simon Harmer took two wickets apiece, while Rabada claimed one.

Earlier in the morning, Pakistan started the day on a positive note with openers Imam-ul-Haq and Abdullah Shafique playing confidently. The duo rotated the strike well and kept the scoreboard moving before Imam was bowled by Simon Harmer for 17 off 35 balls, ending a 35-run stand in the 13th over.

Abdullah Shafique continued to dominate with a mix of patience and calculated aggression, soon joined by Shan Masood, who wasted no time making his intent clear with a pair of sixes. By the 20th over, Pakistan had reached 65 for one, and the partnership flourished as both batters grew in confidence.

The team went to lunch comfortably placed at 95 for one after 30 overs. Masood and Shafique extended their stand to 111 runs for the second wicket, frustrating the South African bowlers.

During the session, Masood brought up his 13th Test half-century, while Shafique reached his sixth fifty before Simon Harmer struck again, sending Shafique back for 57 off 146 balls with four boundaries to his name.

Babar Azam, coming in next, started with intent but couldn’t convert his start, scoring 16 runs off 22 balls before Maharaj had him caught, leaving Pakistan at 167 for three in 56 overs.

Despite losing wickets at intervals, Pakistan’s top order provided a solid foundation, while South Africa’s spinners ensured the day ended on an even note, setting up an intriguing second day’s play.