Tags: Pakistan Tour of South Africa, 2024 -25,,
South Africa vs Pakistan, 2nd test at the Cape Town, January 03-07, 2025,,
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Pakistan
Posted on: January 06, 2025
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South Africa has tightened their grip on the test match, claiming two key counters before tea on the fourth day, but the fight on the lower order of Pakistan kept hunting visitors. A lively partnership of 69 points between Salman Agha and Mohammad Rizwan brought Pakistan to the 16 points after having avoided a sleeve defeat, preparing the field for a captivating final.
The Masood marathon ends with the controversy
Shan Masood’s valiant Knock, covering 368 minutes, ended controversially. Kwena Maphaka, out -of -competition launcher of the session in South Africa, delivered a sewing delivery which kept low and struck the Masood front cushion. Referee Nitin Menon initially judged by missing the stumps, but a South African review revealed that he was struck. Masood’s frustration was obvious as he protested the decision, a rare view of the usually composed striker.
The dismissal of Masood marked the culmination of an excellent post-lunch session for South Africa. Kagiso Rabada, steam of the other end, explained Saud Shakeel, who bordered a journey in the sheets. Shakeel’s departure left Pakistan in shock, but Agha and Rizwan stabilized the ship.
Agha and rice resving resistance
Salman Agha and Mohammad Rizwan beaten with determination, blunting the South African attack and reducing the deficit. Their partnership was built on patience, turning the strike and punishing the rare cowardly delivery. Agha, in particular, capitalized on the capricious line of Wiaan Mulder, hitting two borders in rapid succession to inject a momentum in the sleeves of Pakistan.
The ball losing its brilliance and the ground offering an inconsistent rebound, the quisors of South Africa worked hard. Keshav Maharaj, a bowling alley almost constantly throughout the morning session, continued to build a threat with its variations in theft and rhythm, although the counters have mainly fallen on the Pacers.
Morning session: South Africa makes the breakthroughs early
The morning started with Marco Jansen by rejecting the Nightwatchman Khurram Shahzad, who reduced an increasing delivery to Maharaj to the point. Kagiso Rabada then produced a moment of radiance to clean Kamran Ghulam, bowling a delivery that suddenly tanned to uproot the strains and strains of the middle.
The Rabada counter marked its 50th scalp in Newlands, a milestone that it celebrated with a triumphant roar. Despite its success, the South African Quick had a mixed morning, conceding races to indiscipline, including four bullets without bullet.
Pakistan Saud Shakeel offered resistance alongside Masood, but his stay was spoiled by almost missions. Maphaka defeated him with a beauty that struck the pads, although South Africa has opted for a review. Hawk-Eye later showed that delivery would have struck the stumps, a missed opportunity that was not too expensive because Shakeel fell shortly after lunch.
South Africa in control but the work remains
While the match goes to its final phase, South Africa holds the upper hand but cannot afford a complacency. Ricewan and Agha showing the resilience and the tail of Pakistan capable of surprises, visitors are far from capitulating.
The Proteas will seek to quickly conclude the sleeves after tea and to avoid a delicate pursuit on a bearing ground. For Pakistan, survival remains the main objective when they fight to force South Africa to fight again.
The drama of the test cricket is very much alive, and all eyes will be on Newlands as the action resumes.
