RAWALPINDI: Pakistan capitalised on winning the toss and cashed in on South Africa’s generosity in the field to finish the opening day of the second Test of the World Test Championship (2025–27 cycle) on a solid footing at the Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium on Monday.
In their bid to whitewash the reigning World Test champions, the hosts reached 259 for 5 at stumps after a gripping day. The visitors dropped as many as five catches dropped by the visitors, lapses that could prove costly in the long run. South Africa’s missed chances allowed Pakistan to inch steadily toward the 350-run first-innings target envisioned by head coach Azhar Mehmood.
Skipper Shan Masood, leading from the front, once again made the most of a crucial toss, choosing to bat first and delivering a commanding 87 off 176 balls, laced with three sixes and two fours. His early aggression helped Pakistan counter the initial pressure mounted by the South African pace duo Kagiso Rabada (1-41) and Marco Jansen (0-42), both of whom probed relentlessly but found no reward as several edges fell tantalisingly short of the slip cordon.
Off-spinner Simon Harmer (2-75) drew first blood by removing Imam-ul-Haq (17), but a stabilising 111-run second-wicket partnership between Abdullah Shafique (57) and Shan restored Pakistan’s command. Abdullah, however, lived a charmed life at the crease, dropped twice by Tristan Stubbs and Aiden Markram, and surviving an LBW scare off Keshav Maharaj after a TV umpire’s review overturned the on-field decision.
“When you’re out of form, you need a bit of luck,” Abdullah said afterwards. “I know I wasn’t at my fluent best, but that fifty will help me regain confidence.” Shan, too, had a reprieve on 71 when Senuran Muthusamy spilled a chance off Maharaj, but his assured innings anchored the hosts before the middle order began to wobble. The Rawalpindi crowd was left stunned when their star batter Babar Azam (16) once again fell to a left-arm spinner, a familiar Achilles’ heel, as Tony de Zorzi pulled off a brilliant diving catch off Harmer’s bowling. Babar’s brief stay featured three crisp boundaries.
Shan eventually departed for a well-crafted 87, and with the second new ball taken after 84 overs, Mohammad Rizwan (19) became Rabada’s first victim of the day. Despite the late setbacks, Pakistan maintained composure, closing the day just short of the 260 mark.
At the close of play, Saud Shakeel remained unbeaten on 42 off 105 balls (three fours). Salman Ali Agha was at the other end with a patient 10 off 25 balls, ensuring Pakistan retained control heading into Day Two.
“We’re well placed to stretch our total to around 330–350, which would be a very competitive score,” Abdullah noted in his post-day media talk.
For South Africa, Maharaj (2-63) returning after missing the first Test due to injury was the pick of the bowlers, with Harmer providing solid support. While conditions remained largely favorable for batting through the opening day, the surface is expected to offer increasing assistance to spinners and reverse swing from late on Day Two.
Earlier in the morning, Pakistan handed a long-awaited Test debut to 38-year-old Asif Afridi, who replaced Hasan Ali in the playing XI. Score: Pakistan 259-5 in 91 overs (Shan 87, Abdullah 57, Saud 42 not out, Maharaj 2-63, Harmer 2-75).