South Africa Edge Closer to Victory Despite Pakistan’s Resilience

Tags: Pakistan tour of South Africa, 2024 -25,
South Africa vs Pakistan, 2nd Check at Cape City, Jan 03-07, 2025,
South Africa,
Pakistan

Printed on: Jan 06, 2025

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South Africa tightened their grip on the Check match, claiming two key wickets earlier than tea on the fourth day, but Pakistan’s lower-order fightback stored the guests within the hunt. A spirited 69-run partnership between Salman Agha and Mohammad Rizwan has introduced Pakistan inside 16 runs of avoiding an innings defeat, setting the stage for a gripping finale.

Masood’s Marathon Ends in Controversy

Shan Masood’s valiant knock, spanning 368 minutes, got here to an finish in contentious vogue. Kwena Maphaka, South Africa’s standout bowler of the session, delivered a seaming supply that stored low and struck Masood’s entrance pad. Umpire Nitin Menon initially adjudged it lacking the stumps, however a profitable South African assessment revealed it to be hitting. Masood’s frustration was evident as he protested the choice, a uncommon sight within the often composed batter.

Masood’s dismissal marked the end result of a superb post-lunch session for South Africa. Kagiso Rabada, steaming in from the opposite finish, accounted for Saud Shakeel, who edged a drive into the slips. Shakeel’s departure left Pakistan reeling, however Agha and Rizwan steadied the ship.

Agha and Rizwan Lead Resistance

Salman Agha and Mohammad Rizwan batted with dedication, blunting the South African assault and decreasing the deficit. Their partnership was constructed on persistence, rotating the strike, and punishing the uncommon free supply. Agha, particularly, capitalized on Wiaan Mulder’s wayward line, placing two boundaries in fast succession to inject momentum into Pakistan’s innings.

With the ball dropping its shine and the pitch providing inconsistent bounce, South Africa’s bowlers toiled laborious. Keshav Maharaj, bowling nearly continuous by means of the morning session, continued to pose a risk together with his variations in flight and tempo, although wickets predominantly fell to the pacers.

Morning Session: South Africa Make Early Inroads

The morning started with Marco Jansen dismissing nightwatchman Khurram Shahzad, who chipped a rising supply to Maharaj at level. Kagiso Rabada then produced a second of brilliance to scrub up Kamran Ghulam, bowling a supply that nipped again sharply to uproot off and center stumps.

Rabada’s wicket marked his fiftieth Check scalp at Newlands, a milestone he celebrated with a triumphant roar. Regardless of his success, the South African fast had a blended morning, conceding runs by means of indiscipline, together with 4 no-balls.

Pakistan’s Saud Shakeel supplied resistance alongside Masood, however his keep was marred by near-misses. Maphaka beat him with a magnificence that hit the pads, although South Africa opted towards a assessment. Hawk-Eye later confirmed the supply would have struck the stumps, a missed alternative that didn’t show too pricey as Shakeel fell shortly after lunch.

South Africa in Management however Work Stays

Because the match heads towards its last section, South Africa maintain the higher hand however can’t afford complacency. With Rizwan and Agha exhibiting resilience and Pakistan’s tail able to surprises, the guests are removed from capitulating.

The Proteas will look to wrap up the innings swiftly after tea and keep away from a difficult chase on a sporting pitch. For Pakistan, survival stays the first objective as they battle to pressure South Africa to bat once more.

The drama of Check cricket is alive and effectively, and all eyes can be on Newlands because the motion resumes.