South Africa’s lower order staged a remarkable fightback on the third day of the Rawalpindi Test, with Senuran Muthusamy and Keshav Maharaj leading the resistance after debutant Asif Afridi’s brilliant five-wicket haul had earlier put Pakistan in command. At one point, Pakistan seemed poised for a significant first-innings lead as South Africa stumbled to 235-8, but Muthusamy, Maharaj, and Kagiso Rabada turned the tables with crucial partnerships. The visitors not only wiped out the deficit but also managed to take a slender lead, with Muthusamy registering his career-best score. Resuming at 185-4 overnight, South Africa lost Kyle Verreynne (10) in the very first over of the day, courtesy of Asif Afridi. The debutant then dismissed Tristan Stubbs (76) and Simon Harmer (2) in quick succession, tightening Pakistan’s grip. However, Muthusamy found a steady ally in Marco Jansen, adding 25 valuable runs for the eighth wicket before Noman Ali broke through. Maharaj then joined Muthusamy, and the pair frustrated Pakistan’s bowlers with a resilient 71-run stand. Pakistan missed several chances in the field dropping three catches and a stumping allowing the South African pair to rebuild. Maharaj’s gritty 30 eventually ended when Noman struck again. Rabada then joined forces with Muthusamy, and the duo added a defiant unbeaten 73-run partnership for the final wicket. Rabada played aggressively, bringing up a quickfire half-century off just 38 balls. By stumps, South Africa had reached 381-9, with Muthusamy unbeaten on 86 and Rabada on 51. Meanwhile, Asif Afridi etched his name in cricket history, becoming the oldest player to claim a five-wicket haul on Test debut at 38 years and 299 days surpassing a 92-year-old record held by England’s Charles Marriott (37 years, 332 days). Earlier, on Day 2, South Africa had lost Ryan Rickelton (14), Aiden Markram (32), Tony de Zorzi (55), and Dewald Brevis (0). Shaheen Afridi, Sajid Khan, and Noman Ali picked up a wicket apiece to support Asif’s heroic spell. Pakistan, batting first, had earlier suffered a dramatic collapse, losing their last five wickets for just 17 runs. From a commanding 316-5, the hosts were bowled out for 333 after a sensational spell by Keshav Maharaj, who claimed all five of the final wickets. Pakistan got off to a steady start as openers Imam-ul-Haq and Abdullah Shafique put on 35 runs for the first wicket before Imam was bowled by Simon Harmer for 17 off 35 balls. Abdullah Shafique continued with composure, combining aggression with patience to counter South Africa’s bowling. Skipper Shan Masood joined him and displayed positive intent, hitting two towering sixes as Pakistan reached 65-1 after 20 overs. The duo built a 50-run stand before lunch, maintaining momentum. After the break, both batters guided Pakistan past 100. Masood reached his 13th Test fifty, while Shafique notched his sixth. Their 111-run partnership for the second wicket ended when Harmer dismissed Shafique for 57 off 146 balls. Babar Azam contributed 16 off 22 balls before falling to Keshav Maharaj, leaving Pakistan at 167-3. Masood narrowly missed a century, scoring 87 off 176 deliveries with two fours and three sixes. Mohammad Rizwan and Saud Shakeel added 34 for the fifth wicket before Kagiso Rabada trapped Rizwan lbw for 19, reducing Pakistan to 246-5 in 84.5 overs. Resuming day two at 259-5, Saud Shakeel and Salman Ali Agha stabilised the innings, adding 70 for the sixth wicket. Shakeel brought up his ninth Test fifty, while Agha contributed 45 off 76 balls with five boundaries before being dismissed by Maharaj. Maharaj then struck again, removing Shakeel for a well-crafted 66 off 147 balls. He continued his dominance by dismissing Shaheen Afridi for a duck to complete his five-wicket haul, and later accounted for Sajid Khan (5) and debutant Asif Afridi, as Pakistan were bowled out for 333 in 113.4 overs. Maharaj finished with outstanding figures of 7 for 102, while Simon Harmer and Kagiso Rabada took a wicket apiece. For Pakistan, captain Shan Masood top-scored with 87, while Saud Shakeel contributed a solid 66.
South Africa fight back after Asif’s five-wicket haul in Rawalpindi Test
