"Marco Jansen's six-wicket haul dismissed Pakistan for 237, despite half-centuries from Babar Azam and Saud Shakeel in the first Test, leaving South Africa needing 148 runs to win and take a 1-0 lead in the series."
Match delayed by almost 3 hours due to rain and wet out field as Pakistan just needed 2 runs to end the first innings deficit.
Babar Azam and Saud Shakeel started off well and past the first session without losing a wicket While both the batsmen added 79 runs for the fourth wicket with babar reaching his half century.
But as the batsmen looked settled, South African Captain brought in the left arm Marco Jansen who lived up to his skipper’s expectations and took the price wicket of babar in the very first over.
Saud looked solid, reaching his half-century, but Jansen struck twice, dismissing both Muhammad Rizwan and Salman Ali Agha behind the wickets. Pakistan was reeling at 176 for 6.
Aamer Jamal and Saud pushed the total past 200, but Jamal fell into Dane Paterson's trap, caught deep for just 18. Naseem Shah followed suit, offering a simple catch to the slips off Kagiso Rabada.
Saud Shakeel played a solid knock of 84, with 10 fours and a six, but fell to Jansen off a full toss, plumb in front of the stumps, as the South African bowler claimed his sixth wicket of the innings.
South Africa wrapped up Pakistan's innings at 237, as the Proteas now need 148 runs to win and take a 1-0 series lead.
With an eye on securing a spot in the ICC World Test Championship final at Lord’s next June, South Africa remains firmly in control.
A victory in this two-match series would guarantee their place in the final, heightening the stakes. Pakistan, however, will need a remarkable effort on day four to turn the tide in their favor.
Earlier on the second day, Pakistan’s top-order struggled, losing three wickets early.
The left-handed batter Saim Ayub was sent back to the pavilion for 27 after a promising start, falling to Kagiso Rabada with the score of 49.
Followed by skipper Shan Masood, who scored 28 runs before Tristan Stubbs caught the catch when Jansen delivered third ball of the 16th over.
Kamran Ghulam, who smashed 54 runs in the first innings, was dismissed for four runs in the second phase after Jansen struck again, leaving Pakistan tattering at 74/3.
Proteas capitalised in the first innings by posting 301 runs in response to Pakistan’s total of 211, securing a 90-run lead.
