Tags: Pakistan tour to South Africa, 2024-25,
South Africa vs Pakistan, 2nd Test in Cape Town, 03-07 January 2025,
South Africa,
Pakistan
Published on: January 06, 2025
South Africa tightened their grip on the Test match, claiming two key runs before tea on day four, but Pakistan’s lower-order counter-attack kept the visitors in the hunt. A spirited 69-run partnership between Salman Agha and Mohammad Rizwan took Pakistan to 16 runs to avoid an innings defeat, setting the stage for a thrilling finale.
Masood’s Marathon ends in controversy
Shan Masood’s valiant knock, which lasted 368 minutes, ended in controversial fashion. Kwena Maphaka, South Africa’s leading bowler in the session, bowled an incredible delivery that kept low and hit Masood’s front pad. Umpire Nitin Menon initially ruled it missing the stumps, but a successful review by South Africa revealed that he was hitting it. Masood’s frustration was evident as he protested the decision, a rare sight in the usually batting line-up.
Massoud’s dismissal marked the climax an excellent post-lunch session for South Africa. Kagiso Rabada, steaming in at the other end, represented Saud Shakeel, who bowled a drive into the slips. Shakeel’s departure left Pakistan reeling, but Agha and Rizwan took over the ship.
Aga and Rizwan lead the Resistance
Salman Agha and Mohammad Rizwan batted with determination, dampening the South African attack and reducing the deficit. Their partnership was based on patience, alternating the strike and punishing the rare loose delivery. Agha, in particular, capitalized on Wiaan Mulder’s odd line, hitting two boundaries in quick succession to give Pakistan’s innings a boost.
With the ball losing its luster and the pitch providing inconsistent bounce, South Africa’s bowlers toiled hard. Keshav Maharaj, who bowled almost non-stop during the morning session, continued to pose a threat with his variations of flight and pace, although the wickets fell mainly to the pacers.
Morning session: South Africa make an early inroad
The morning began with Marco Janssen dismissing the nightwatchman Khurram Shahzad, who smashed a rising delivery to Maharaj at point. Kagiso Rabada then produced a moment of brilliance to clean up Kamran Ghulam, bowling a delivery that was cut short to uproot the middle stumps as well.
Rabada’s wicket marked his 50th Test scalp at Newlands, a milestone he celebrated with a triumphant roar. Despite his success, the South African quick had a mixed morning, conceding runs with impunity, including four no-balls.
Pakistan’s Saud Shakeel offered resistance in Masood’s side, but his stay was marred by near misses. Mafaka beat him with a cushion-hitting beauty, although South Africa chose not to criticize. Hawk-Eye later indicated that the delivery would have hit the stumps, a missed opportunity that did not prove too costly as Shakeel fell just after lunch.
South Africa is under control, but work remains
As the match heads into its final phase, South Africa hold the upper hand but cannot afford complacency. With Rizwan and Agha showing resilience and Pakistan’s backline capable of surprises, the visitors are far from capitulating.
The Proteas will look to wrap up the innings quickly after tea and avoid a tough chase on a worn out pitch. For Pakistan, survival remains the primary objective as they struggle to get South Africa rolling again.
The drama of Test cricket is alive and well, and all eyes will be on Newlands as the action continues.
