The second test between South Africa and Pakistan The match in Johannesburg was entertaining, with South Africa taking control early and Pakistan showing resilience towards the end. South Africa's first innings saw a massive total of 615, led by Ryan RickletonDouble century and centuries of Temba Bavuma and Kyle Vereen. The Pakistani response faltered as they were bowled out for 194 Kagiso Rabada and Marco Jansen Shining with the ball.
After Pakistan was forced to follow up, it launched an impressive attack, thanks to Shan MasoudAn unbeaten century and Babar Azam's 81, as the duo added 205 for the opening wicket. By logs on the third day, Pakistan reached 213/1, reducing the deficit to 208 runs. The battle is now on the line, with both teams looking for decisive moments to take control. Day 4 promises to be a captivating chapter in this high-stakes test.
South Africa's dominance over bats
South Africa showed their batting superiority with a total of 615 runs in the first innings. The highlight of their performance was Rickelton's masterful knock of 259 runs, a display of accuracy and patience. His innings, filled with 29 boundaries and three towering sixes, laid the foundation for the Proteas' commanding total. Bavuma contributed the captain's knock with 106, showing tremendous grit and determination at the crease.
Verreynne also joined the Centurion club, where he scored a smooth 100 that added depth to the South African batting effort. At the bottom of the order, Jansen's quickfire 62 demoralized the Pakistani bowlers. Muhammad Abbas and Agha Salman They were the pick of the bowlers for Pakistan, taking three wickets each, but struggled to stem the flow of runs. The relentless aggression by South Africa made Pakistan look at an uphill battle from the beginning.
Pakistan's struggles in the first innings
Pakistan's first innings was a tale of disappointment and missed opportunities, with the visitors only able to muster 194 runs. Babar tried to steady the innings with a batting 58, but the lack of support from the other batsmen proved costly. The huge collapse left Pakistan reeling, with South African duo Rabada and Janssen exploiting every weakness. Rabada's fiery three-wicket haul was marked by relentless pace and pinpoint accuracy.
Keshav Maharaj He added to the misery with two decisive sending-offs, displaying his guile on a pitch that offered little turnover. Pakistan's middle and lower order collapsed under sustained pressure, with no batsman stepping up to stabilize the innings. A massive deficit of 421 runs forced Pakistan to follow on, a scenario that put their resilience to the ultimate test. The first innings exposed the visitors' weaknesses in the face of quality bowling in Test conditions.
also Watch: A South African commentator mocks Pakistani players' ability to speak English on the second day of the Cape Town Test
Shan Masood and Babar Azam are leading the fight
Forced to play catch-up, Pakistan showed remarkable determination, led by Masoud, who had been unbeaten for a century. Masoud's 102 off 166 balls was an innings of defiance and technical brilliance, ensuring his side avoided immediate collapse. Former skipper Babar completed it with a knock of 81, showing his ability to absorb pressure in difficult conditions. Together, the duo formed a crucial 205-run opening partnership, laying a solid foundation for Pakistan's resistance.
Their partnership has frustrated the South African bowlers, who have struggled to make inroads on a pitch that has subsided considerably. Masoud's elegant array of strokes and Azam's meticulous shot selection kept the scoreboard ticking steadily. By the end of the third day, Pakistan had reached 213/1, significantly reducing the deficit to 208 runs. A spirited batting display revived hopes of saving the match and set the stage for an interesting fourth day.
South Africa's bowling efforts in the second half
The South African bowlers worked tirelessly in the second half but had limited success against a rejuvenated Pakistan side. Janssen was the only wicket taker, dismissing Babar with a short, well-directed delivery that ended a crucial opening stand. Maharaj bowled with exceptional control, connecting one end with his precise line and length. Despite their efforts, the pitch seemed to have flattened, offering little help to the bowlers.
Rabada and Ngidi tried to regain pace and bounce but were largely neutralized by Mesut and Azam's disciplined approach. However, the South African players maintained high energy levels, preventing easy runs and pressure. The bowlers continued to attack the pitches looking for breakthroughs that could tip the match in their favour. South Africa will aim to regroup and devise an overnight strategy to break Pakistani momentum on the penultimate day.
Here's how fans reacted:
Brilliant multiplication
Shan Masood and Babar Azam set a new record against South Africa#savpak pic.twitter.com/uSKRtyla5L– Rashid Latif | 🇵🇰 (@iRashidLatif68) January 5, 2025
Bad condition
Permanent Babbar Class &
The model is back too
♥Shan Masood and Babar Azam 🥶#savpak #Not found #Don't stop streaming #CatchEveryMatch pic.twitter.com/tyA1vaxM7n
– Abdel Ghaffar 🇵🇰 (@GhaffarDawnNews) January 5, 2025
Shan Masood and Babar Azam… pure class so far!
This is one of the best Test opening partnerships I have seen in a long time, and they both look unbeatable now. I hope it lasts a long time, we need someone to get the big 100 to save this match.
– Raz Khan (@razkhan789) January 5, 2025
This was a spirited effort by Shan and Babar in the third over.
Both hitters have passed fifty, and they look like a million bucks out there.
– Bahram Qazi 🇵🇰 🇨🇦 (@DeafMango) January 5, 2025
PCB cannot remove Shan Masood from Test captaincy for Pakistan in the World Test Championship 2025-27. #savpak
– Arfa Fayrouz Zaki (@ArfaSays_) January 5, 2025
Shan Masood's sixth Test century! Excellent strike by the Pakistan captain.#savpak | #Pakistani cricket pic.twitter.com/idTQlGPMRV
– Sinan Arshad (@Sanan_Here) January 5, 2025
This is a great shot from Shan Masoud. Captain strike under pressure.
– Dale (@ncakos316) January 5, 2025
Babar Azam's shot was a tribute to Virat Kohli otherwise he would have been set for a well-deserved century!
— Basit Subhani (@BasitSubhani) January 5, 2025
A good end to the day for Pakistan was marred by Babar's wicket but Shan Masood is still there on 102*
213-1#savpak
– ThePoppingCreaseSA (@PoppingCreaseSA) January 5, 2025
The Proteas really should have struck again and not forced the follow-on, right? #savpak
– Naeemah (@NaeemahBenjamin) January 5, 2025
Mohammad Babar Azam has to be the unluckiest player in world cricket.
Excellent combat roles, my king. Worth a century!
— Zubair Shakeel Wani (@ZubiTalks) January 5, 2025
This is Shan Masoud's quality test 💯 #savpak pic.twitter.com/BownixMEUL
– Lawrence Bailey ⚪ 🇿🇦 (@LawrenceBailey0) January 5, 2025
