Second Test, Day 3: South Africa scores 404 runs, take 71-run lead over Pakistan 

Rawalpindi (Web Desk): Senuran Muthusamy and Kagiso Rabada staged a remarkable lower-order fightback to hand South Africa a valuable 71-run lead over Pakistan on the third day of the second Test at Rawalpindi on Wednesday.

Muthusamy stood firm with an unbeaten career-best 89, while Rabada contributed a fluent 71—his highest Test score—as the visitors stretched their total to 404 before being bowled out at tea. The pair combined for a vital 169 runs for the final two wickets, rescuing South Africa from a precarious position.

Veteran Pakistan spinner Asif Afridi was the pick of the bowlers, claiming 6 for 79 in a memorable debut performance.

At 38 years and 301 days, he became the oldest player ever to take a five-wicket haul on Test debut, surpassing England’s Charles Marriott, who achieved the feat in 1933 at the age of 37 years and 332 days.

Despite Asif’s historic effort, the day ultimately belonged to South Africa, who fought back strongly in their bid to level the two-match series after losing the first Test in Lahore by 93 runs.

Muthusamy anchored the innings with great discipline, striking eight boundaries and surpassing his previous best of 68 not out against Bangladesh in Chattogram last year. His partnerships proved crucial—adding 71 runs for the ninth wicket with Keshav Maharaj, who scored 30, and then building another 98-run stand with Rabada for the final wicket to extend South Africa’s advantage.

Rabada played aggressively, smashing four sixes and four fours to better his previous highest score of 47, recorded against New Zealand in Christchurch in 2022.

Earlier in the morning session, Asif Afridi made early inroads as the ball began to grip and turn sharply on the dry Rawalpindi surface. He removed Kyle Verreynne for 10 with the fourth ball of the day, caught behind by Mohammad Rizwan.

Tristan Stubbs showed resilience, batting for over four hours to compile 76 with six fours and a six before Asif trapped him leg-before with a quicker delivery. Asif then dismissed Simon Harmer for 2, also leg-before, while Noman Ali accounted for Marco Jansen in similar fashion for 12.

South Africa, who had resumed on 185 for four, added 100 runs in the morning session to reach a commanding total. With the hosts now facing a 71-run deficit, the contest remains delicately poised as Pakistan prepare to bat again in pursuit of leveling the series.