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The second test between South Africa and Pakistan It was an entertaining match in Johannesburg, with South Africa dominating early and Pakistan showing resilience late in the match. South Africa’s first innings had a colossal total of 615, led by ryan rickeltonThe double century and the centuries since Temba Bavuma and Kyle Verreynne. Pakistan’s response faltered when they were dismissed by a mere 194, with Kagiso Rabada and Marco Jansen shining with the ball.
Forced to move forward, Pakistan staged an impressive counterattack, thanks to Shan MasoodBabar Azam’s unbeaten century and Babar Azam’s made 81 as the duo added 205 for the opening wicket. For stumps on day 3, Pakistan had reached 213/1, reducing the deficit to 208 runs.. The battle is now on the line, with both teams looking for key moments to take control. Day 4 promises to be an exciting chapter in this high-stakes test.
South Africa’s dominance with the bat
South Africa showed their batting supremacy with a towering total of 615 runs in their first innings. The highlight of his performance was Rickelton’s masterful knock of 259 runs, which was a display of precision and patience. Their innings, comprising 29 boundaries and three towering sixes, laid the foundation for the Proteas’ impressive total. Bavuma contributed a captain’s knock of 106, showing immense courage and determination in the box.
Verreynne also joined the centurion club, hitting a fluid 100 runs that added depth to South Africa’s batting efforts. Further down the order, Jansen’s rapid-fire 62 further demoralized the Pakistani players. Mohammad Abbas and Agha Salman They were the pick of Pakistan’s bowlers, each taking three wickets, but they struggled to stem the flow of runs. South Africa’s relentless aggression left Pakistan facing an uphill battle from the start.
Pakistan struggles in first innings
Pakistan’s first innings was a tale of disappointment and missed opportunities as the visitors could only muster 194 runs. Babar attempted to anchor the innings with a fighting 58, but lack of support from other batsmen proved costly. The top-order collapse left Pakistan reeling, with the South African duo of Rabada and Jansen exploiting every weakness. Rabada’s fiery three-wicket haul was marked by relentless pace and pinpoint precision.
Keshav Maharaj Added to the misery with two crucial expulsions, showing his cunning in a field that offered few effects. Pakistan’s middle and lower order crumbled under sustained pressure, with no batsman stepping in to stabilize the innings. The huge deficit of 421 runs forced Pakistan to push ahead, a scenario that tested their resilience. The first innings exposed the visitors’ weaknesses against some quality bowling in difficult conditions.
Also WATCH: South African commentator mocks Pakistan players’ English-speaking capabilities on Day 2 of Cape Town Test
Shan Masood and Babar Azam lead the comeback
After being forced to press on, Pakistan showed remarkable determination, led by Masood’s unbeaten century. Masood’s 102 off 166 balls was an innings of challenge and technical brilliance, ensuring his team avoided an immediate collapse. Former captain Babar complemented this with a composed knock of 81, showcasing his ability to absorb pressure in challenging circumstances. Together, the duo forged a crucial opening partnership of 205 runs, laying a solid foundation for Pakistan’s fightback.
Their partnership frustrated South Africa’s bowlers, who struggled to find breakthroughs on a pitch that had relaxed considerably. Masood’s array of elegant strokes and Azam’s precise shot selection kept the scoreboard constantly moving. At the end of Day 3, Pakistan reached 213/1, significantly reducing the deficit to 208 runs. The lively batting display revived hopes of saving the match and set the stage for an intriguing Day 4.
South Africa’s bowling efforts in the second innings
South Africa’s bowlers worked tirelessly in the second innings but had limited success against Pakistan’s rejuvenated top team. Jansen was the only one to take the wicket, dismissing Babar with a well-directed short delivery that ended the crucial opening position. Maharaj bowled with exceptional control, tying up one end with his precise line and length. Despite their efforts, the field seemed to have leveled out, offering little help to the players.
Rabada and Ngidi tried to gain pace and rebound but were largely neutralized by the disciplined approach of Masood and Azam. The South African fielders, however, maintained high energy levels, preventing easy runs and applying pressure. The players persisted in attacking the fields, looking for breakthroughs that could tilt the game in their favor. South Africa will try to regroup and strategize overnight to break Pakistan’s momentum on the penultimate day.
This is how the fans reacted:
Brilliant batting
Shan Masood and Babar Azam set new record against South Africa#SAvPAK pic.twitter.com/uSKRtyla5L—Rashid Latif | 🇵🇰 (@iRashidLatif68) January 5, 2025
Disrepair
The Babar class is permanent and
Form also back
♥️Shan Masood and Babar Azam 🥶#SAvPAK #lost #Don’t stop transmitting #CatchEveryMatch pic.twitter.com/tyA1vaxM7n
– Abdul Ghaffar 🇵🇰 (@GhaffarDawnNews) January 5, 2025
Shan Masood and Babar Azam… pure class so far!
This is one of the best opening test partnerships I’ve seen in a long time, both seem unbeatable at the moment. Long may this continue, I need one of them to get the hundred grand to save this match.
– Raz Khan (@razkhan789) January 5, 2025
This has been a spirited effort from Shan and Babar in the third innings.
Both batsmen have crossed fifty and look like a million dollars out there.
– Behram Qazi 🇵🇰 🇨🇦 (@DeafMango) January 5, 2025
PCB cannot remove Shan Masood from Pakistan’s Test captaincy for the 2025-27 World Test Championship. #SAvPAK
– Arfa Feroz Zake (@ArfaSays_) January 5, 2025
Sixth Test century for Shan Masood! Excellent knock from the Pakistani captain.#SAvPAK | #PakistanCricket pic.twitter.com/idTQlGPMRV
-Sanan Arshad (@Sanan_Here) January 5, 2025
That’s a big hit from Shan Masood. Captain’s blow under pressure.
—Dale (@ncakos316) January 5, 2025
Babar Azam’s shot was a tribute to Virat Kohli; otherwise, he was set for a well-deserved century!
– Basit Subhani (@BasitSubhani) January 5, 2025
A good end to the day for Pakistan is marred by Babar’s wicket, but Shan Masood is still there on 102*
213-1#SAvPAK
– ThePoppingCrease (@PoppingCreaseSA) January 5, 2025
The Proteas really should have batted again and not forced the continuation, eh? #SAvPAK
— naeemah (@NaeemahBenjamin) January 5, 2025
MOHAMMED BABAR AZAM HAS TO BE THE STRONGEST PLAYER IN WORLD CRICKET.
Excellent fight entries REY. Deserved a CENTURY!
– Zubair Shakeel Wani (@ZubiTalks) January 5, 2025
That’s proof of quality Shan Masood 💯 #SAvPAk pic.twitter.com/BownixMEUL
– Lawrence Bailey ⚪ 🇿🇦 (@LawrenceBailey0) January 5, 2025
