Rawalpindi Test: Babar anchors Pakistan after Harmer’s three-wicket spell

#Rawalpindi #Test #Babar #anchors #Pakistan #Harmers #threewicket #spell

Pakistan struggled to find stability in their second innings as Simon Harmer’s three-wicket spell saw them reeling at 94/4 at stumps on three days of the second and final Rawalpindi Test, which scored just 23 runs on Wednesday.

Pakistan resumed their second innings on a disappointing note, with opener Imam-ul-Haq falling to Harmer early for nine.

Harmer struck again, dismissing captain Shaun Masood for a duck, leaving Pakistan at 16-2 after just six overs.

South Africa continued to apply the pressure as Kagiso Rabida claimed the wicket of Abdullah Shafique, who scored six off 19 balls to put the hosts in further trouble.

Saud Shakeel and Babar Azam joined forces to stabilize the innings, and steadily forged a vital partnership that helped the team cross the 50-run mark, reaching 55-3 in 18 overs.

However, the 44-run stand was broken when Harmer claimed his third wicket, dismissing Saud for 11 off 43 balls, which included a four.

Mohammad Rizwan came to the crease and scored runs, hitting a boundary to help the hosts cruise past the 71-run mark, giving Pakistan the lead against the Proteas.

The hosts will resume their batting with 49 off 83 balls and 49 off Rizwan.

Senoran Mithosami and Kagiso Rabada’s brilliant partnership saw South Africa score 404 in reply to Pakistan’s first innings total of 333.

The Proteas’ openers, Ryan Rickelton and captain Aidan Markram laid a solid foundation.

The runs were flowing steadily, but the partnership was broken when Shaheen Afridi dismissed Rickelton for 14 off 26 balls, leaving the visitors at 22-1 in 8.2 overs.

Markram then took charge, hitting boundaries and ticking the scoreboard to help South Africa reach 50 in the 20th over.

However, Sajid Khan ended his stay by removing Markram for 32 for 32, breaking a 32-run stand with Tristan Stubbs.

Tony De Zorzi steadied the innings alongside Stubbs, adding 32 runs for the third wicket as tea approached.

In the final session before tea, both batsmen grew in confidence, putting Pakistan’s bowlers under pressure and finding boundaries regularly.

Stubbs and de Zorzi hit their fifties, putting on a 100-run partnership for the third wicket, as South Africa reached 166-2 in 57 overs.

Pakistan finally got relief when Asaf Afridi dismissed De Zorzi for 55 off 93 balls to break the 113-run stand, which included a four and two sixes.

In the same spell, Asif struck again to remove Dewald Braves in four balls, leaving South Africa reeling at 171-4 in 59.3 overs.

Resuming at 185-4 in 65 overs, South Africa lost Kil Verein early, scoring just 10 off 29 balls before falling to Asif, the third victim of the innings.

Set-beater Tristan Stubbs was about to depart after a spirited 76 off 205 balls (six fours and a six), reducing the visitors to 204-6 in 73.4 overs.

Asif continued his red-hot form, trapping Simon Harmer lbw for just two runs to complete a memorable five-wicket haul on debut.

With the wickets in disarray, Senoran Muthusami and Marco Johnson joined forces to rebuild the innings, producing a steady 25-run stand.

However, Nouman Ali smashed Johnson for 12 off 26 balls to claim his first wicket, leaving South Africa at 235-8 in 84.4 overs.

Mithosami then took the attack to Pakistan’s spinners, playing positively and guiding his team past the 250-run mark.

He received solid support from Keshav Maharaj, who added valuable runs while the pair added stability to the innings.

The two put together a 50-run stand for the ninth wicket, during which Mithoswamy reached his second Test fifty.

Pakistan finally broke the partnership when Nouman Ali dismissed Maharaj for 306-9 in 30 balls.

Kagiso Rabada also made a valuable contribution with the bat, partnering with Mithosami as the Proteas overtook Pakistan’s total and took the lead, easing the pressure on their side.

Rabida was exceptional, consistently finding boundaries to propel the team past 350, while also contributing to a 50-run stand for the final wicket.

He played a brilliant innings, reaching his maiden Test fifty and moving up the scoreboard as South Africa reached 381-9 in 113 overs.

The 98-run stand was finally broken when Asif took his sixth wicket, dismissing Rabada, who scored 71 off 61 balls, including four fours and four sixes, while Mithoswami remained unbeaten on 89 off 155 balls, including eight boundaries.

Asif Afridi finished with figures of 6/79 in 34.3 overs, followed by Nauman Ali with two wickets, while Shaheen Shah Afridi and Sajid Khan picked up one wicket each.

Earlier, after winning the toss and electing to bat first, Pakistan were bundled out for 333 in 113.4 overs, with captain Shaun Masood top-scoring with 87 off 176 deliveries including two fours and three sixes.

Opener Abdullah Shafique also scored 57 runs off 146 balls with four boundaries, while Saud Shakeel 66 off 147 runs and Salman Ali Agha played a key knock of 45 off 76 deliveries.

Keshav Maharaj finished with impressive figures of 7/102 in 42.4 overs, while Simon Harmer claimed two wickets and Kagiso Rabada picked up one.