2nd Test: Pakistan close day 3 at 94/4, leading by 23 runs against South Africa

Rawalpindi (Web Desk): At the end of the third day of the ongoing Test match in Rawalpindi, Pakistan has gained a 23-run lead over South Africa, scoring 94 runs for the loss of 4 wickets in their second innings. Babar Azam is unbeaten on 49, while Mohammad Rizwan is on 23.

In Pakistan's first innings, Afsar Afridi made a sensational debut, taking 5 wickets and becoming only the second left-arm spinner to achieve this feat.

However, South African batsmen Mathewsami (89) and Rabada (71) provided a strong resistance, with an unbeaten 98-run partnership for the last wicket, taking the visitors to a total of 404, giving them a 71-run lead.

In Pakistan's second innings, openers Imam-ul-Haq, Shan Masood, Abdullah Shafique, and Saud Shakeel failed to make a significant contribution. Babar Azam and Rizwan, however, steadied the innings and helped Pakistan recover from early setbacks.

Keshav Maharaj, who took 7 wickets in the first innings, continued to trouble Pakistan's batters, becoming the second South African spinner to take seven wickets in a match against Pakistan. Pakistan had scored 333 runs in their first innings.

Earlier, Pakistan had won the toss and elected to bat, with Shan Masood contributing 87, Abdullah Shafique scoring 57, and Saud Shakeel making 66 runs.

Afsar Afridi, making his Test debut at 39, delivered a remarkable performance, taking 5 wickets in his very first innings.

Pakistan leads the series 1-0 and is aiming for a clean sweep by winning the Rawalpindi Test.