South Africa made a strong comeback on the third day of the second Test against Pakistan in Rawalpindi, turning the match in their favor after a determined effort from their lower-order batsmen. The visitors ended the day in a much stronger position, thanks to an outstanding partnership between Seerun Muthusamy and Kagiso Rabada.
At the end of the third day, Pakistan were struggling at 94 for 4 in their second innings, holding a narrow lead of only 23 runs. Spinner Simon Harmer was the key bowler for South Africa, taking three important wickets to keep Pakistan under pressure. While the day started well for Pakistan, it ended with South Africa clearly on top after two days of dramatic cricket.
Earlier in the day, South Africa’s tail-end batsmen played a crucial role in rescuing their team. Seerun Muthusamy remained unbeaten on 89, while Kagiso Rabada scored his maiden Test fifty, reaching exactly 50 runs. Their partnership for the final wicket added valuable runs and helped South Africa post a total of 404 in their first innings, giving them a lead of 71 runs over Pakistan.
Pakistan’s second innings got off to a poor start. Their top-order batsmen once again failed to perform, with the team reduced to 16 for 3 within the first few overs. Simon Harmer and Rabada both struck early to remove the openers and increase the pressure on Pakistan’s batting lineup. The crowd at the Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium fell silent as Pakistan’s early wickets fell one after another.
Captain Babar Azam, who has been struggling for form recently, showed some fight and determination. Along with Saud Shakeel, he tried to rebuild the innings. The pair managed to take the score past 50 without losing another wicket, but Harmer struck again, dismissing Shakeel for just 11. Babar Azam remained not out on 49 by the end of the day, showing signs of returning to form. Mohammad Rizwan was unbeaten on 16 and will resume the innings with Babar on the fourth day.
For Pakistan, the highlight of the day came earlier when veteran spinner Asif Afridi completed a remarkable performance in his debut Test match. The 38-year-old spinner took six wickets for 79 runs and became the oldest player ever to take a five-wicket haul on Test debut. He broke a record that had stood since 1933, previously held by England’s Charles Marriott, who achieved the feat at the age of 37.
Asif’s bowling helped Pakistan bowl out South Africa for 404 just before the tea break. The left-arm spinner used the dry pitch conditions effectively, similar to South Africa’s Keshav Maharaj, who had taken seven wickets earlier in the match. Asif’s accurate bowling troubled all the South African batsmen and gave Pakistan hope at one stage.
However, South Africa’s lower order fought back bravely. Muthusamy showed great patience and skill against Pakistan’s spinners, hitting eight boundaries. He formed a 71-run partnership for the ninth wicket with Keshav Maharaj, who scored 30 runs, and then built another important 98-run stand for the last wicket with Rabada. Rabada played with confidence, hitting four sixes and four fours during his entertaining half-century.
Tristan Stubbs also contributed a fighting 76 earlier in the innings, spending more than four hours at the crease before being dismissed by Asif Afridi. His innings included six fours and a six, and it helped South Africa avoid an early collapse.
At the end of the day’s play, South Africa looked the stronger side. Their bowlers will now aim to wrap up Pakistan’s second innings quickly on the fourth day, while Babar Azam and Mohammad Rizwan will try to steady the innings and build a target that their bowlers can defend.
Pakistan lead the two-match Test series 1-0 after winning the first Test in Lahore by 93 runs. South Africa, the current World Test champions, will be eager to level the series in Rawalpindi. With two days remaining, the match remains open, but South Africa’s lower order has put them in the driver’s seat after an exciting and hard-fought day of cricket.