Lahore (Abdul Basit): Pakistan’s top order showed resilience and discipline on a turning Rawalpindi pitch as the visitors reached 259 for 5 on the opening day of the second Test against South Africa.
Skipper Shan Masood led from the front with a composed 87, while Abdullah Shafique and Saud Shakeel provided crucial support, helping Pakistan recover from early blows against a testing spin attack. After electing to bat, Pakistan made a watchful start but lost Imam-ul-Haq early for 17, trapped by Simon Harmer, who found sharp turn and bounce.
However, Abdullah and Shan steadied the innings with a patient 111-run partnership for the second wicket, blunting the new ball and rotating strike effectively against South Africa’s twin spinners, Harmer and Keshav Maharaj.
Abdullah, continuing his solid form, compiled a gritty 57 off 146 balls, showing impressive temperament before falling to Harmer just before lunch. His dismissal brought Babar Azam to the crease, who looked in fluent touch, striking three crisp boundaries, but perished for 16 attempting an ambitious drive off Maharaj.
Shan Masood, however, anchored the innings with maturity. His 87 off 176 balls included just two fours and three sixes, a testament to his patience and smart shot selection. He seemed set for a century before edging Maharaj to Marco Jansen in the slips, ending a crucial knock that steadied Pakistan’s innings in tricky conditions.
With the score at 212 for 4, Saud Shakeel took charge of the rebuild, batting with typical calmness to remain unbeaten on 42 at stumps. Mohammad Rizwan added a brisk 19, but fell lbw to a sharp in-swinger from Kagiso Rabada late in the day. Agha Salman joined Shakeel and saw Pakistan safely to the close, finishing 10 not out as the visitors reached 259 for 5 after 91 overs.
For South Africa, Maharaj (2 for 63) and Harmer (2 for 75) were the pick of the bowlers, exploiting the dry surface to good effect. Rabada claimed a solitary wicket, while Jansen maintained excellent control despite going wicketless in his 16 overs.
With a steady foundation laid and plenty of batting to come, Pakistan will look to push past 350 on day two, while South Africa’s spinners will aim to strike early to regain momentum in this evenly poised Test.
SCORES IN BRIEF
Pakistan 1st Innings: 259/5 in 91 overs (Shan Masood 87 (176b, 2×4, 3×6), Abdullah Shafique 57 (146b, 4×4), Saud Shakeel 42* (105b, 3×4), Mohammad Rizwan 19, Imam-ul-Haq 17, Babar Azam 16; Keshav Maharaj 31-3-63-2, Simon Harmer 23-1-75-2, Kagiso Rabada 13-1-41-1, Marco Jansen 16-6-42-0) vs South Africa.
English