Spinners help South Africa level the series against Pakistan

South Africa drew the series level with a commanding eight-wicket triumph against Pakistan in Rawalpindi. Keshav Maharaj and Simon Harmer spun a web around the hosts, ending with match figures of 9/136 and 8/125 respectively. Aiden Markram and Ryan Rickelton then made light work of the paltry total of 68 as the World Test Champions showcased that they are capable of tasting glory in the subcontinent as well.

The visitors had the upper hand heading into Day 4, with Pakistan effectively 23 for 4 overnight but the well-set Babar Azam was still occupying the crease unbeaten on 49. To the delight of the Pakistani fans, he quickly accomplished 50 and soaked in the applause. Three balls later, Harmer picked up his fourth wicket of the innings as he trapped the talisman LBW.

Harmer went on to pick up his fifth scalp as Mohammad Rizwan edged one onto his pads, the ricochet lobbing into the hands of the short-leg fielder. Noman Ali nicked behind a few overs later as Harmer scalped his 1000th First-Class wicket. Things went from bad to worse for the hosts as Shaheen Afridi was run-out for his third duck in a row.

With three wickets having fallen in a jiffy, Salman Ali Agha brought out the broom and the reverse sweep to eke out two boundaries. However, his stay came to an end after chopping one on to the stumps off the lethal Maharaj. The left-arm spinner wrapped up the innings by beating the advancing Sajid Khan to have him stumped and bundle out Pakistan for 136.

In the chase, Markram brought out the sweeps and reverse sweeps to assault the spin troika of Noman Ali, Sajid Khan and Asif Afridi. Markram fell LBW, with four to get, attempting a sweep before Tristan Stubbs poked one to slip. Rickelton, who provided Markram able company in his innings of 25, finished the game in style with a lusty blow down the ground.

Brief Scores: Pakistan 333 & 138 (Babar Azam 50, Salman Agha 28; Simon Harmer 6-50, Keshav Maharaj 2-34) lost to South Africa 404 & 73/2 (Aiden Markram 42, Ryan Rickelton 25*; Noman Ali 2-40) by 8 wickets