The second and final Test match between the Pakistan national cricket team and the South Africa national cricket team at Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium has slipped away from Pakistan’s grasp, as the home side lost four wickets for just 60 runs in their second innings the Guardian-observer’s alarm bell ringing loud. In the latest turn of events, the top and middle order crumbled, handing South Africa an opening they will look to exploit.
Key Details Pakistan vs South Africa, 2nd Test
| Item | Detail |
|---|---|
| Venue | Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium, Rawalpindi (ESPN.com) |
| Pakistan 1st innings | 333 all out (PCB) |
| South Africa 1st innings | 404 all out (lead of 71) (ESPN Cricinfo) |
| Pakistan 2nd innings at collapse | 60 for 4 when the key wickets fell (Imam uL-Haq 9, Abdullah Shafique 6, Saud Shakiel 11, Captain Shan Masood 0) |
| Wickets lost | Imam uL-Haq, Abdullah Shafique, Saud Shakiel, Shan Masood |
| Resulting scenario | Pakistan still require 11 runs to make up South Africa’s first-innings lead |
| Notable bowling performance | Debutant Asif Afridi took six wickets in South Africa’s innings to keep Pakistan in the contest. (NDTV Sports) |
Pakistan’s top-order collapse
- Captain Shan Masood, despite scoring 87 in the first innings, was dismissed without scoring in the second innings a blow to Pakistan’s middle-order stability.
- Imam‑ul‑Haq fell for 9, Abdullah Shafique for 6, and Saud Shakeel for 11 the Guardian-style ominous warning sounded.
- The collapse came at a critical moment when Pakistan needed consolidation to erase South Africa’s lead.
South Africa fight-back
- Although South Africa had started sluggishly in their first innings, their lower order mounted a robust recovery. They added 194 runs for the last three wickets, turning the tide back in their favour. (PCB)
- The wicket of the debutant Asif Afridi breaking through at key intervals provided some hope for Pakistan, but the batting fold-in the next innings compromised the advantage.
Debutant impact
- Asif Afridi, making his Test debut at the age of 38, impressed by taking six wickets in the first innings, keeping his side alive. (The Economic Times)
- However, for him and the Pakistan team, personal milestones are overshadowed by the team’s precarious position.
Key Points
- Pakistan posted 333 in the first innings, but South Africa replied with 404, taking a 71-run lead.
- In Pakistan’s second innings, four batsmen were dismissed cheaply: Imam uL-Haq (9), Abdullah Shafique (6), Saud Shakiel (11), Shan Masood (0).
- Due to that collapse Pakistan now need just 11 runs to make up the first-innings deficit the Observer Guardian tone: the match has slipped away.
- The lower-order fight from South Africa (adding nearly 200 runs for last three wickets) was the decisive phase.
- Debutant Asif Afridi’s six-wicket haul gave hope, but the batting collapse in the second innings nullified much of the advantage.
- The wicket at Rawalpindi has delivered sharp turn and bounce, making batting after the first innings harder (especially under pressure).
- Pakistan must regroup quickly: a collapse like this underlines the importance of middle-order resilience, especially in the ICC World Test Championship context.
FAQs
Q: What was Pakistan’s first-innings score?
A: Pakistan were dismissed for 333 in their first innings. (PCB)
Q: What lead did South Africa achieve?
A: South Africa scored 404 in their first innings, thus taking a lead of 71 runs over Pakistan. (ESPN Cricinfo)
Q: Which Pakistani batsmen fell cheaply in the second innings?
A: Imam-ul-Haq (9), Abdullah Shafique (6), Saud Shakeel (11) and Shan Masood (0) were dismissed when Pakistan’s second innings was 60 for 4.
Q: Who made a notable bowling contribution for Pakistan?
A: Asif Afridi, on debut, claimed six wickets in South Africa’s first innings, giving Pakistan a fighting chance.
Q: Where is the match being played?
A: The match is at Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium, Rawalpindi.
Q: What is the implication of this collapse?
A: The collapse puts Pakistan under pressure to recover quickly what began as an opportunity after restricting South Africa has now become a fight to stay in the match.
