South Africa Dominates Pakistan to Equal Test Series

Post by : Mara Rahim

South Africa secured an impressive eight-wicket victory against Pakistan on the fourth day of the second Test match in Rawalpindi, successfully chasing down a target of 68 runs before lunch to even the series at 1-1. Starting the day at 94-4, Pakistan crumbled to just 138 all out, setting up a chase well within reach for the visitors.

The home side's aspirations for a solid lead quickly dwindled as they lost six wickets for a mere 44 runs during the morning session. Despite positive signs from earlier, the team’s lower order faltered significantly under pressure, leading to their quick dismissal within just over an hour's play.

Simon Harmer emerged as the standout performer for the Proteas, achieving exceptional figures of six wickets for 50 runs. Keshav Maharaj contributed two more wickets, making their collective performance responsible for 17 of Pakistan’s 20 dismissals across the two innings. Harmer celebrated his first Test five-wicket haul and reached a significant career milestone with his 1,000th first-class wicket.

Babar Azam, the Pakistan captain, started the day with 49 runs and quickly notched up his half-century, but his dismissal, leg before wicket by Harmer, ignited the collapse that followed. Babar’s ongoing struggle now sees him without a century in 15 Test matches—a concerning trend for one of Pakistan’s star batsmen.

With only 68 runs needed for victory, South Africa completed their task in a swift 12.3 overs. Captain Aiden Markram set the pace with 42 runs before his wicket fell to Noman Ali, soon followed by Tristan Stubbs. Ryan Rickelton (25 not out) and Tony de Zorzi helped secure the win comfortably, concluding the match before lunch.

Post-match, skipper Aiden Markram commended his team for their resilience and collaboration. “There were moments where the guys really stepped up for the team,” he stated. “Bouncing back after our previous loss in Lahore took confidence and belief. Winning under pressure like this is meaningful.”

Home captain Shan Masood acknowledged his side's need for improvement in various areas. “We have several aspects to work on—particularly lower-order batting and maintaining consistency throughout innings,” Masood remarked. “In the first innings, we had the opportunity for a significant total but fell short.”

This victory marks South Africa’s 11th win in their last 12 Tests, with the only defeat suffered in the opening match of this series. The team's recent form highlights their resurgence in Test cricket, showcasing disciplined bowling and enhanced batting capabilities. Their success in Pakistan further solidifies their status as a formidable Test side globally.

Conversely, Pakistan's ongoing issues with batting collapses have become a recurring theme. Despite playing at home with experienced players, their middle and lower order has repeatedly lacked stability. The inability to convert promising starts into substantial totals remains a considerable challenge as they gear up for upcoming international fixtures.

With the series concluded in a draw, both teams will prepare for their next matches. South Africa aims to establish consistency in away games, while Pakistan faces scrutiny over their batting lineup and strategic approach. The two-match series highlighted competitive cricket but ultimately underscored South Africa’s superior performance under pressure.