Reigning ICC World Test champions, South Africa, have a fight on their hands in the first cricket test against Pakistan in Lahore. The Proteas trailed their hosts by 225 runs with eight second innings wickets intact at the close on day three.
Pakistan, who enjoyed a 109-run first innings lead, were bowled out for 167 in their second innings, but then restricted the Proteas to 52 for two at stumps.
After resuming day three on 216 for six, the Proteas added 53 runs to their first innings total before they were bowled out for 269.
Tony de Zorzi scored his second test century before he was dismissed for 104, after which South Africa’s resistance crumbled. They were bowled out, 109 runs short of Pakistan’s first innings score of 378 all out.
The Proteas struck back immediately in Pakistan’s second innings. Imam-ul-haq was caught behind for a duck off Simon Harmer. Shan Masood was next to depart for seven after he was trapped lbw by Harmer. Senuran Muthusamy then removed Abdullah Shafique for 41 to leave Pakistan on 64 for three.
Pakistan went to tea on 150 for five after Babar Azam was trapped leg before for 42 and Saud Shakeel was dismissed for 38 by Muthusamy. The wickets tumbled regularly after that, with Muthusamy the destroyer in chief.
The 31-year-old took five for 57 for a match haul of 11 wickets, his best test match figures by a country mile.
The Proteas bowled Pakistan out for 167, a lead of 276 runs. But the Proteas didn’t have the best of starts either.
The visitors were reduced to 18 for two with captain Aiden Markram and Wiaan Mulder dismissed for three and a duck, respectively. But De Zorzi and Ryan Rickelton steadied the ship, and the Proteas reached stumps on 51 for two, requiring a further 226 runs for victory.
