Classic Standoff: Day One in Pindi Ends in Deadlock

Once again, Pakistan chose to bat first after winning the toss in Rawalpindi on Monday, reminiscent of last week’s match in Lahore. South Africa managed to claim five wickets but also dropped four catches, repeating their previous week’s performance.

However, there were notable differences between the first days of these two Tests, starting with the team selections.

Pakistan left out Hasan Ali in favor of making Asif Afridi, a 38-year-old left-arm spinner, debut. South Africa saw the return of Keshav Maharaj from a groin injury, replacing Prenelan Subrayen. Wiaan Mulder, who struggled with the bat in Lahore, made way for others. Tristan Stubbs moved up to No. 3, while Marco Jansen was brought in as a fast bowler capable of contributing with the bat. David Bedingham might have gotten the nod over Jansen had he been adept at seam bowling.

Importantly, the home team trails by 54 runs compared to their position at this stage in last week’s game. Moreover, the pitch wasn’t as spin-friendly as it was in Lahore, a crucial aspect that contributed to Pakistan’s 93-run victory.

“The wicket didn’t play like it did in Lahore,” Maharaj noted in a post-day conference. “There was less spin, so we focused on restricting the Pakistani batters.”

The different conditions could be seen from the fourth ball of the match. Kagiso Rabada bowled, and the ball nicked Abdullah Shafique’s bat but was dropped at third slip by Stubbs.

In Lahore, South Africa turned to spin by the sixth over. However, on Monday, Jansen bowled the sixth over. His fifth ball, an inswinger, missed Shafique’s drive and hit the off-stump lightly, not enough to dislodge the bails.

Seam bowling continued for four more overs before Maharaj took over in the 10th, and by the 13th over, he and Harmer were working together. Harmer dismissed Imam-ul-Haq with a ball that went from leg to off-stump, showcasing the perfect off-spinner’s dismissal.

This might explain why Maharaj bowled more overs than Harmer. Together, they bowled nearly 60% of the day’s overs. Senuran Muthusamy, who performed well in Lahore, bowled only four overs, matching part-timer Aiden Markram in numbers. “It was probably a tactical decision,” Maharaj explained regarding Muthusamy’s reduced role.

Pakistan’s solid position is thanks to a 111-run second-wicket partnership between Shafique and Shan Masood, continuing into the second session where a review overturned a not out decision against Shafique. The review confirmed that Harmer’s leg-side delivery had clipped the edge before hitting the pad and reaching Kyle Verreynne’s gloves.

Shafique managed 57 runs off 146 balls with four fours. After Tea, Masood, attempting a sweep, was caught for 87 off 176 deliveries, including two fours and three sixes. Saud Shakeel remained unbeaten on 42 off 105 balls at the day’s end.

The day’s play resembled Test cricket from the 1970s, far removed from the aggressive “Bazball” approach, making it less attractive and somewhat tedious to follow.

Summing up the day’s play, Maharaj reflected on the balance: “I think it was an evenly matched day,” with South Africa limiting Pakistan to 259/5. “The ball softened quickly on a hard wicket, so we resorted to traditional Test cricket strategies.

“One more wicket could have put us ahead. But tomorrow will be crucial.”

Indeed, it is. Let’s hope it’s not another day of old-school Test cricket. We could do without revisiting it.