Pakistan managed to end Day 3 on a positive note, despite being enforced a follow-on in the second test against South Africa in Newlands, Capetown. The visitors finished the day at 213/1, but still trail by a large margin of 208 runs.
Pakistan started the day at 64/3, with their overnight batters, Mohammad Rizwan and Babar Azam. Rizwan set the tempo for Pakistan, as he played with a positive intent, while Azam’s proficient drives further continued the team’s momentum. However, Azam (58) could not guide debutant Kwene Maphaka’s ball towards the fine leg, as his edge was caught by the keeper.
Although, Rizwan was looking good in terms of his shot selections, he came down the track against Wiaan Mulder in his pursuit to play an expansive drive. As a result, he dragged the ball on to the stumps and was dismissed for 46.
Salman Agha (19), who had scored a couple of boundaries, was deceived by Keshav Maharaj’s flighted delivery, and was stumped. At Lunch, Pakistan were at 155/6.
Soon, Kagiso Rabada reaped fruits in the form of Aamer Jamal’s (15) dismissal with his short-ball tactic. Khurram Shahzad (14) and Mir Hamza (13) were the contributors as Pakistan were bundled out for 194. Rabada was the pick of the bowlers for the home side with three scalps. On account of a 421-run first-innings lead, South Africa enforced a follow-on on Pakistan.
Masood-Babar stage Pakistan’s fightback
Pakistan captain Shan Masood looked confident against the new ball, as his drives and flicks were a treat to the eye. Meanwhile, Babar Azam was solid with his presence in the crease and timed the ball beautifully to steer the side at a brisk rate. After the end of the second session, the visitors had scored 80 for the loss of no wickets.
The duo made good use of the bad deliveries to pile on the boundaries for the Pakistan side. Both batters displayed adeptness against the shorter balls and send them to the fences on most occasions. They took out Keshav Maharaj for a ride by employing their positive mindset.
The youngster, Kwene Maphaka failed to make any impact with his half-trackers, as Azam was impressive to slam them for boundaries. Soon, Masood punched the fuller ball towards the mid-on boundary and reached his seventh test hundred.
Out of nowhere, Marco Jansen induced an edge of Babar Azam (81), as the right-hander flashed the blade hard on the fuller ball but could only get holed out at the slips. The 205-run stand between Azam and Masood saw them create history with the highest-ever opening partnership while following on.
The rest of the day’s play was carefully played out by Shan Masood (102*) and Khurram Shahzad (8*) as Pakistan are at 213/1. It will be interesting to see if Pakistan still have fight left, or if the Proteas manage to win the game on the fourth day.
