Late strikes hand Pakistan the advantage in Rawalpindi

Pakistan have their noses ahead in the second Test against South Africa in Rawalpindi having struck late on the second day. The Proteas are now 148 runs in arrears with six wickets in hand, pinning their hopes on Tristan Stubbs who has composed an unbeaten half-century.

Salman Agha resumed proceedings roughly but Saud Shakeel at the other end completed his half-century. The pair was vigilant and added important runs to nudge Pakistan’s total beyond 300 and slowly began exerting their dominance. Just when the situation seemed to be becoming bleak, South Africa found a messiah in Keshav Maharaj who broke the partnership with Agha’s wicket. That triggered a meltdown as the left-arm orthodox then removed the well-set Shakeel for 66 to peg Pakistan back. From there onwards the home side succumbed to Maharaj’s chicanery as he cleaned up the tail as well to finish with an impressive seven-wicket haul.

Losing their last five wickets for 17 runs, the doctor ordered a good start for Pakistan with the ball at least to pull things back in their favour. Shaheen Afridi delivered the goods, sending Ryan Rickelton back early and that brought Stubbs out to the middle. Known for his happy-go-lucky batting style in white-ball cricket, Stubbs curbed his natural instincts to dig in. At the other end, Aiden Markram messed up his attempt to loft Sajid Khan cleanly over long on as the game was now delicately poised.

One more wicket at that stage would have put Pakistan completely in command but Tony de Zorzi joined forces with Stubbs to thwart the hosts. Having taken an attritional approach, he finally hit his first boundary off the 61st ball he faced as the two batters continued to exhibit patience, much like Pakistan on the opening day. De Zorzi broke the shackles with a six and followed it up with another maximum that took him past Stubbs’ score. The two batters achieved their respective fifties in the same over and their partnership crossed 100 as well.

At this juncture, it appeared like South Africa would go back to the dressing room as the happier camp. However, in a late twist, Asif Afridi bagged his maiden Test wicket by trapping de Zorzi lbw to end the ominous stand and give Pakistan some much-needed respite. In what came as a body blow to South Africa, Asif shone again in his very next over with the talented Dewald Brevis edging one to slip to exit for a duck. Kyle Verreynne and Stubbs then snuffed out a tricky period of play before stumps but the duo will have their task cut out tomorrow as Pakistan threaten to capitalize on the newfangled momentum.

Brief scores: Pakistan 333 (Shan Masood 87, Saud Shakeel 66; Keshav Maharaj 7/102) lead South Africa 185/4 (Tristan Stubbs 68*, Tony de Zorzi 55; Asif Afridi 2/24) by 148 runs