Cape Town: Captain Shan Masood played a battling innings of 145 runs to give Pakistan a fighting chance against hosts South Africa, but at tea on the fourth day of the second and final Test, Pakistan reached 398 for 5 wickets, trailing by 23 runs. Salman Agha and Mohammad Rizwan remain unbeaten on 31 each, looking to frustrate their hosts in the final session.
Pakistan is effectively six wickets down as Saim Ayub fractured his ankle while fielding on the first day, and they will hope to set a competitive target for their bowlers to defend.
This is already the highest-ever follow-on score by a visiting team in South Africa, and it has been a tough battle for home bowlers on a flat wicket with little seam or spin assistance.
After Pakistan began the day on 213 for 1, South Africa took two wickets in the morning session. Khurram Shahzad was caught by Keshav Maharaj at point off seamer Marco Jansen for 18. Kagiso Rabada bowled Kamran Ghulam for 28, with the delivery nipping back off the wicket and crashing into the off-stump.
South Africa took the new ball shortly after lunch and claimed two more wickets, including the key wicket of Masood, who was trapped leg before wicket by 18-year-old fast bowler Kwena Maphaka. Saud Shakeel scored 23 before being caught at second slip by Aiden Markram off Rabada.
Pakistan is responding to South Africa’s massive first innings total of 615, where Ryan Rickelton (259), Temba Bavuma (106), and Verreynne (100) all scored centuries.
South Africa has already secured their place in the World Test Championship final against Australia at Lord’s from June 11-15, and they are looking to win this series 2-0 after claiming a narrow first Test victory by two wickets in Pretoria.
