Rawalpindi (Web Desk): South Africa’s middle order staged a composed recovery through fifties from Tony de Zorzi and Tristan Stubbs, steadying the visitors after early stumbles on day two of the second Test against Pakistan.
Despite a late burst from debutant Asif Afridi, South Africa reached 185 for 4 at stumps on Tuesday, trailing by 148 runs.
After dismissing Pakistan for 333 earlier in the day, openers Ryan Rickelton and captain Aiden Markram set out to build a solid foundation. Their cautious approach yielded 22 runs before Shaheen Afridi struck, sending Rickelton back for 14 off 26 balls.
Markram, undeterred, took charge with crisp boundaries and patient play, helping his side cross 50 in the 20th over. His promising start was cut short when Sajid Khan dismissed him for 32, ending a 32-run stand with Tristan Stubbs.
De Zorzi joined Stubbs and together the pair began to rebuild, finding rhythm and confidence as the ball softened.
They resisted Pakistan’s spinners effectively and began to rotate the strike fluently, keeping the scoreboard ticking. Both reached well-deserved half-centuries, forming a crucial century stand that pushed South Africa to 166 for 2 in 57 overs.
Pakistan finally broke through when Asif Afridi, making his debut, removed de Zorzi for 55 off 93 deliveries, bringing an end to a 113-run partnership. Afridi struck again soon after, claiming Dewald Brevis for a duck, leaving the visitors wobbling at 171 for 4.
By the close of play, Stubbs was unbeaten on a composed 68, while Kyle Verreynne remained not out on 10, as South Africa looked to regroup on day three.
Earlier, Pakistan’s innings of 333 was built on steady contributions across the board. Imam-ul-Haq and Abdullah Shafique provided a 35-run start before Simon Harmer bowled Imam for 17.
Shafique then combined with captain Shan Masood in a fluent stand that brought Pakistan past the 50 mark. Masood batted with intent, striking a pair of towering sixes as the hosts reached 65 for 1 before lunch.
Both batters reached their fifties in the second session and carried the score beyond 100. Their 111-run partnership ended when Harmer dismissed Shafique for 57, and soon after, Babar Azam fell for 16 to Keshav Maharaj. Masood continued to anchor the innings but missed out on a century, departing for 87 off 176 balls.
Mohammad Rizwan and Saud Shakeel steadied things briefly before Rizwan was trapped lbw by Kagiso Rabada for 19, leaving Pakistan at 246 for 5.
On the second day, Saud Shakeel resumed with Salman Ali Agha, and the duo stitched together a valuable 70-run stand. Shakeel reached his ninth Test fifty, while Agha contributed a gritty 45 before falling to Maharaj.
The left-arm spinner continued his domination, dismissing Shakeel for 66 and running through the lower order to finish with a magnificent seven-wicket haul for 102 runs in 42.4 overs. Harmer picked up two wickets, and Rabada claimed one as Pakistan’s innings closed at 333.
South Africa will look to capitalize on Stubbs’ unbeaten knock when play resumes, as they aim to narrow the deficit and build a strong platform heading into the third day in Rawalpindi.