The second day of the Rawalpindi Test between Pakistan and South Africa ended with the visitors in deep trouble, managing 185 runs for the loss of four wickets, still trailing by 148 runs. Pakistan’s bowlers maintained consistent pressure throughout the day, keeping South Africa’s batting lineup on the defensive.
After a strong start to the Test series, Pakistan continued their momentum with disciplined bowling and sharp fielding. Shaheen Shah Afridi and Hasan Ali led the attack, dismantling South Africa’s top order early in the innings. Despite a brief fightback from middle-order batsmen Aiden Markram and Temba Bavuma, the visitors failed to build a significant partnership to close the deficit.
Earlier in the match, Pakistan posted a competitive first-innings total, with Babar Azam and Saud Shakeel playing crucial knocks to put their team in a commanding position. The pitch in Rawalpindi offered variable bounce, making batting increasingly challenging as the day progressed.
Cricket analysts suggest that Pakistan’s strategy of mixing pace with spin proved highly effective. Abrar Ahmed, known for his mystery spin, applied tight control in the final session, frustrating South African batsmen and keeping the scoring rate in check.
With South Africa still facing a substantial deficit, the team will need a solid performance from their lower order to avoid an innings defeat. Pakistan, on the other hand, will look to capitalize on their advantage and wrap up the visitors’ innings early on day three.
In related international cricket news, the West Indies recently made One-Day International (ODI) history by fielding an all-spin bowling attack, marking a strategic shift in modern limited-overs cricket. The move has sparked debate among cricket experts about evolving tactics across different formats.
As the Rawalpindi Test enters its crucial third day, all eyes will be on Pakistan’s bowlers to see if they can maintain their dominance and secure a decisive lead in the series.
