There’s still plenty to play for in the second test match between South Africa and Pakistan. Mohammad Rizwan and Faheem Ashraf put on 52 for the sixth-wicket to push Pakistan’s lead to 200 after South Africa’s spinners bowled them back into the game. Keshav Maharaj and George Linde shared five wickets as Pakistan returned 2nd innings figures of 129 for six at stumps on Day 3.
Earlier in the day, South Africa were bowled out for 201 in their first innings as they failed to chase down the 272 set by the hosts.
At close of play yesterday, Pakistan had prised out the South African top four, with the middle left with plenty to do in Rawalpindi.
At the crease were Temba Bavuma who has been struggling to circumvent good starts and Quinton de Kock, who has had a horrid time with the bat as captain, having only scored 45 runs in four innings.
The two had though had done well to take their team from 81/4 to 106 without further loss by stumps, but when play resumed this morning the patience which guided them overnight was left in the changeroom.
Quinton de Kock, driving away from his body, and the inside edge crashes into leg stump.
Wiaan Mulder then joined Temba Bavuma at the crease, the two putting together an impressive partnership and hope of reviving the South African innings, which at that time still trailed by more than 180 runs.
The two quickly brought up their 50 stand but then, disaster struck, giving Pakistan a way back in. They took it with both hands and were soon into the tail of the South African batting line-up, three wickets falling in the first session, just 82 runs session scored and the visitors still 84 runs behind at the lunch break.
At resumption of play, South Africa scored just 4 runs before their 8th wicket fell, Keshav Maharaj out with the score on 192 and still 80 runs behind Pakistan’s 272, Hasan Ali with his fourth of the innings.
With batting partners literally running out – Rabada’s effort to save the Proteas’ innings and chances of converting a brave batting performance were proving futile.
South Africa losing their last 5 wickets for just 33 runs; the innings coming to an end on 201 still 71 runs short of Pakistan’s opening total, Hasan Ali with figures of 5/54.
The visitors then turned to the ball to try and salvage a possible result, Anrich Nortje and Kagiso Rabada opened with four maiden overs.
Keshav Maharaj pitching in too at the first change, Pakistan two down with 28 runs on the board.
Maharaj struck again almost immediately after the team break and with the Pakistani’s second innings lead at 116, the South African’s would dare to dream of forcing a result with two days of play remaining.
The hosts were in a further spot of bother; two strikes from George Linde had Pakistan with their backs to the wall at 75 for 5 and having increased their first innings lead from 84 runs to just 174.
Three dropped catches undermined a disciplined effort by the bowlers, if taken South Africa would have been looking to pick off the remaining two scalps tomorrow morning and chase for the victory.
George Linde did well to take three wickets and help reduce Pakistan to 129 for six at the close.
The home side has a lead of 200 and with South Africa’s batting woes on the sub-continent well-documented, they will not want to chase anything over 250 batting last on a wearing wicket.
