Fans erupt as Babar Azam and Shan Masood’s towering partnership keeps Pakistan alive after follow-on by South Africa in the Cape Town Test

The second Check between South Africa and Pakistan at Johannesburg has been a entertaining contest, with South Africa dominating early and Pakistan exhibiting resilience late within the match. South Africa’s first innings noticed a colossal whole of 615, led by Ryan Rickelton’s double-century and centuries from Temba Bavuma and Kyle Verreynne. Pakistan’s reply faltered as they have been dismissed for a meager 194, with Kagiso Rabada and Marco Jansen shining with the ball.

Pressured to observe on, Pakistan staged a powerful fightback, due to Shan Masood’s unbeaten century and Babar Azam’s composed 81, because the duo added 205 for the opening wicket. By stumps on Day 3, Pakistan had reached 213/1, narrowing the deficit to 208 runs. The battle now hangs within the steadiness, with each groups eyeing key moments to grab management. Day 4 guarantees to be an enthralling chapter on this high-stakes Check.

South Africa’s dominance with the bat

South Africa showcased their batting supremacy with an imposing whole of 615 runs of their first innings. The spotlight of their efficiency was Rickelton’s masterful knock of 259 runs, which was an exhibition of precision and persistence. His innings, laced with 29 boundaries and three towering sixes, set the muse for the Proteas’ commanding whole. Bavuma contributed a captain’s knock of 106, exhibiting immense grit and willpower on the crease.

Verreynne additionally joined the centurion’s membership, hanging a fluid 100 runs that added depth to South Africa’s batting efforts. Decrease down the order, Jansen’s quick-fire 62 additional demoralized the Pakistani bowlers. Mohammad Abbas and Agha Salman have been the decide of the bowlers for Pakistan, every taking three wickets, however they struggled to stem the circulation of runs. South Africa’s relentless aggression left Pakistan looking at an uphill battle from the outset.

Pakistan’s struggles within the first innings

Pakistan’s first innings was a narrative of disappointment and missed alternatives, because the guests may solely muster 194 runs. Babar tried to anchor the innings with a combating 58, however the lack of help from different batters proved pricey. The highest-order collapse left Pakistan reeling, with South Africa’s tempo duo of Rabada and Jansen exploiting each weak spot. Rabada’s fiery three-wicket haul was marked by unrelenting tempo and pinpoint accuracy.

Keshav Maharaj added to the distress with two essential dismissals, showcasing his guile on a pitch that supplied little spin. Pakistan’s center and decrease order fell aside below sustained strain, with no batter stepping as much as stabilize the innings. The large deficit of 421 runs compelled Pakistan to observe on, a state of affairs that put their resilience to the last word check. The primary innings uncovered the guests’ frailties in opposition to high quality bowling in testing circumstances.

Additionally WATCH: South African commentator mocks Pakistan gamers’ English-speaking capabilities on Day 2 of the Cape City Check

Shan Masood and Babar Azam lead the fightback

After being compelled to observe on, Pakistan displayed outstanding willpower, led by Masood’s unbeaten century. Masood’s 102 off 166 balls was an innings of defiance and technical brilliance, guaranteeing his crew prevented an instantaneous collapse. Former skipper Babar complemented him with a composed knock of 81, showcasing his means to soak up strain in difficult circumstances. Collectively, the duo cast an important 205-run opening partnership, laying a strong basis for Pakistan’s fightback.

Their partnership pissed off South Africa’s bowlers, who struggled to search out breakthroughs on a pitch that had eased significantly. Masood’s array of stylish strokes and Azam’s exact shot choice saved the scoreboard ticking steadily. By the tip of Day 3, Pakistan reached 213/1, considerably lowering the deficit to 208 runs. The spirited batting show revived hopes of salvaging the match and set the stage for an intriguing Day 4.

South Africa’s bowling efforts within the second innings

South Africa’s bowlers labored tirelessly within the second innings however discovered restricted success in opposition to Pakistan’s rejuvenated prime order. Jansen was the lone wicket-taker, dismissing Babar with a well-directed brief supply that ended the essential opening stand. Maharaj bowled with distinctive management, tying down one finish together with his exact line and size. Regardless of their efforts, the pitch appeared to have flattened out, providing little help to the bowlers.

Rabada and Ngidi tried to extract tempo and bounce however have been largely neutralized by Masood and Azam’s disciplined strategy. The South African fielders, nevertheless, maintained excessive vitality ranges, stopping straightforward runs and making use of strain. The bowlers continued with attacking fields, looking for breakthroughs that would tilt the sport again of their favor. South Africa will goal to regroup and strategize in a single day to interrupt Pakistan’s momentum on the penultimate day.

Right here’s how followers reacted:

Sensible Batting Shan Masood, Babar Azam set new report in opposition to South Africa#SAvPAK pic.twitter.com/uSKRtyla5L

— Rashid Latif | 🇵🇰 (@iRashidLatif68) January 5, 2025

Nazar Na Lagay Babar Class is everlasting &Type additionally again♥️

Shan Masood & Babar Azam 🥶#SAvPAK #tapmad #DontStopStreaming #CatchEveryMatch pic.twitter.com/tyA1vaxM7n

— Abdul Ghaffar 🇵🇰 (@GhaffarDawnNews) January 5, 2025

Shan Masood & Babar Azam… pure class thus far!

This is without doubt one of the finest opening Check partnership I’ve seen in a very long time, each look unbeatable proper now. Lengthy could it proceed, want certainly one of them to get the large hundred to save lots of this match.

— Raz Khan (@razkhan789) January 5, 2025

This has been a spirited effort by Shan and Babar within the third innings.

Each batters have crossed fifty, and are trying like one million bucks on the market.

— Behram Qazi 🇵🇰 🇨🇦 (@DeafMango) January 5, 2025

PCB can’t take away Shan Masood from check captaincy of Pakistan for World Check Championship 2025-27. #SAvPAK

— Arfa Feroz Zake (@ArfaSays_) January 5, 2025

sixth Check century for Shan Masood! A superb knock by the Pakistan skipper.#SAvPAK | #PakistanCricket pic.twitter.com/idTQlGPMRV

— Sanan Arshad (@Sanan_Here) January 5, 2025

That is a terrific knock by Shan Masood. Captain’s knock below strain.

— Dale (@ncakos316) January 5, 2025

Babar Azam’s shot was a tribute to Virat Kohli in any other case he was all set for a effectively deserved century!

— Basit Subhani (@BasitSubhani) January 5, 2025

finish to the day for Pakistan is marred by Babar’s wicket however Shan Masood nonetheless there on 102*

213-1#SAvPAK

— ThePoppingCrease (@PoppingCreaseSA) January 5, 2025

The Proteas actually ought to’ve batted once more and never enforced the follow-on eh? #SAvPAK

— naeemah (@NaeemahBenjamin) January 5, 2025

MOHAMMED BABAR AZAM HAS TO BE THE MOST UN-LUCKIEST PLAYER IN THE WORLD CRICKET.

Glorious combating innings KING. Deserved a CENTURY!

— Zubair Shakeel Wani (@ZubiTalks) January 5, 2025