Steady Start: Masood and Shafique Anchors Pakistan to 259/5 Against South Africa

Pakistan capitalized on South Africa’s fielding mishaps to post 259-5 on the first day of the second and final Test in Rawalpindi on Monday.

Despite South Africa dropping five catches on a turning pitch, the visitors could have been in a more favorable position had they been more efficient, after Pakistan chose to bat first upon winning the toss.

Captain Shan Masood, who was dropped on 71 off an unlucky Keshav Maharaj, led the scoring with 87, while Abdullah Shafique—dropped four times—contributed 57.

Saud Shakeel and Salman Agha will continue batting on Tuesday, remaining unbeaten on 42 and 10, respectively, as Pakistan eyes a 2-0 series victory over the world Test champions.

South African pacer Kagiso Rabada provided his team some relief by trapping Mohammad Rizwan for 19 with the second new ball’s fifth delivery.

Maharaj, returning from injury after missing the first Test in Lahore, claimed 2-63, with fellow spinner Simon Harmer taking 2-75.

Despite Maharaj and Harmer bowling extensively, spinner Senuran Muthusamy—who took 11 wickets in the first Test—was surprisingly used for just four overs.

The final session saw Masood dismissed from an uppish sweep off Maharaj, caught by Marco Jansen, after scoring two fours and three sixes in his innings.

Earlier, Shafique’s risky innings ended when he edged Harmer to wicketkeeper Kyle Verreynne, following a vital 111-run partnership for the second wicket with skipper Masood.

The struggling Babar Azam, encouraged by a supportive home crowd, was dismissed for only 16 when Tony de Zorzi caught a low chance at silly point for Maharaj’s first wicket. Azam has now gone 29 Test innings without a century.

Maharaj himself dropped Shafique on 15 off his own bowling, with Aiden Markram also dropping the same batter on 41 and 53.

Shafique had an early escape on nine when a Jansen delivery grazed the stumps without dislodging the bails.

In the morning session, South Africa’s lone breakthrough came courtesy of Harmer, who bowled Imam-ul-Haq for 17 with a sharply turning delivery hitting the off-stump.

Rabada too was unfortunate as Tristan Stubbs dropped Shafique in the slips off the fourth ball of the match when he was yet to score.

After winning the first Test in Lahore by 93 runs, Pakistan opted for a third spinner, Asif Afridi, replacing fast bowler Hasan Ali.

At 38 years and 299 days, Asif became the second oldest Pakistani Test debutant, following Miran Bakhsh, who debuted at 47 years and 284 days against India in 1955.

Published on Oct 20, 2025