Relentless South Africa expose Pakistan’s flaws in dominant victory

ISLAMABAD: South Africa completed a clinical and commanding performance on the fourth morning of the second Test, brushing aside Pakistan by eight wickets to level the two-match World Test Championship series 1-1.

The visitors needed less than an hour to bundle Pakistan out for 138 and just another hour to chase down the modest 68-run target in emphatic fashion at the Rawalpindi Stadium on Thursday.

It took only 13.3 overs for the South African bowlers to wipe out the remaining six Pakistan wickets as the hosts imploded under pressure, adding just 42 runs to their overnight total. Simon Harmer was the chief destroyer with a match-defining spell of 6 for 50, ably supported by Keshav Maharaj (2 for 34), as Pakistan’s hopes evaporated within the opening session.

The home crowd’s excitement turned into silence within minutes of play resuming. Babar Azam, Pakistan’s last big hope, added just a single run to his overnight score before Harmer trapped him leg-before with a quicker, straighter one. “Since I bowled against him in county cricket, I knew how to manage him over the wicket. I adjusted my line accordingly and reap the reward,” Harmer said after the match, his face glowing with satisfaction.

Mohammad Rizwan (18) followed soon after, offering a close-in catch to Tony de Zorzi. The collapse continued as Harmer struck again to dismiss Noman Ali (0), bringing up his milestone 1,000th first-class wicket, a rare feat in modern cricket. “It’s been a long journey,” he reflected. “Most of my cricket has been in England where conditions are tricky. That taught me patience, how to tease a batsman, how to vary pace, and how to stay in the game even when wickets don’t come. That experience paid off today.”

Salman Ali Agha (28) resisted briefly before falling to the relentless pressure from Keshav Maharaj, who bowled with guile and precision. Maharaj also claimed the final wicket of Sajid Khan (13) to set South Africa a straightforward 68-run chase, which they completed in just 12.3 overs.

Aiden Markram provided the early fireworks with a fluent 42 laced with eight boundaries before holing out to deep midwicket off Noman Ali. Tristan Stubbs (0) fell soon after, but the result was never in doubt as Ryan Rickelton (25 not out) finished things off with a towering six, sealing a dominant South African win.

Harmer was quick to credit Kagiso Rabada for shifting momentum earlier in the match. “Early on the third day, Pakistan were ahead, but Rabada turned the tide with a fantastic counter-attacking innings. Twice during the Test, they had the upper hand, once in the first innings when they looked set for a big total, and again early on day three. But credit to our boys, we stayed calm, stuck to our plans, and turned it around beautifully,” he said.

Maharaj, who was named Player of the Match, lauded his team’s resilience. “This was a complete performance, we learned from our mistakes in the first Test. The boys showed character, composure, and hunger to win. To bounce back like this in sub-continent conditions says a lot about our preparation,” he said.

With the victory, South Africa not only salvaged pride but also gained crucial World Test Championship points. The win, on surfaces that demanded patience and skill, will serve as a major confidence boost ahead of their upcoming tour of India.

“Playing in the sub-continent is always a challenge,” Harmer noted. “Conditions test every bit of your temperament and technique. This win will give us the belief and rhythm we need going into the India series next month.”

Score: Pakistan 333 all out in in 113.4 overs (Shan 87, Saud Shakil 66, Abdullah 57, Salman Agha 45, Saud 42 not out, Keshav Maharaj 7-102, Harmer 2-75) and 138 all out in 49.3 overs (Babar Azam 50, Salman Ali Agha 28 Mohammad Rizwan 18, Simon Harmer 6-50).

South Africa 404 all out in 119.3 overs (Senuram Muthusamy not out 89, Tristan Stubbs 76, Kagiso Rabada Tony de Zorzi 55, Asif Afridi 6-79) and 73 for 2 in 12.3 overs (Adian Markarm 42, Ryan Rikelton 25 not out, Noman Ali 2-40).