Pakistan Struggles at 155-6 Against South Africa in Second Test

Pakistan’s batting faltered on day three, reaching 155-6, trailing South Africa by 460 runs in the second Test in Cape Town. Kwena Maphaka claimed the key wicket of Babar Azam on his debut, exacerbating Pakistan’s struggles following an injury to opener Saim Ayub. The team aims to avoid a follow-on as they face a challenging path ahead in the match.

On the third day of the second Test match between South Africa and Pakistan in Cape Town, Pakistan found themselves struggling at 155-6, trailing South Africa by 460 runs. South Africa’s young bowler, Kwena Maphaka, marked his Test debut by claiming the vital wicket of Pakistan’s Babar Azam, who scored 58 runs. Following their solid fourth-wicket partnership that yielded 98 runs between Babar and Mohammad Rizwan, Pakistan’s batting lineup collapsed further, leading to their precarious position at lunch. Despite an optimistic start to the day, with the score at 64-3, they are now at risk of falling behind the follow-on threshold of 261 runs. With an injury sidelining opener Saim Ayub for the foreseeable future, Pakistan appears to be in dire straits ahead of the resumption of play. Rizwan is still at the crease but has lost partners quickly since the departure of Babar, further aggravating Pakistan’s woes.

This match marks a critical juncture in the ongoing Test series, with South Africa having previously emerged victorious in the first Test. They posted an impressive total of 615 runs in their first innings, bolstered by outstanding performances from Ryan Rickelton, Temba Bavuma, and Kyle Verreynne. South Africa’s victory in the first Test not only showcased their dominance but also led to their qualification for the World Test Championship final against Australia, adding further importance to the current fixture. For Pakistan, the loss of key players due to injury magnifies the challenges they face in this match.

As South Africa continues to exert pressure, Pakistan must regroup effectively to avoid further deterioration of their innings. The loss of Babar Azam denotes a significant setback for the team, which requires solid performances from the remaining batters to stay competitive in the ongoing match. The upcoming sessions could prove crucial as Pakistan attempts to salvage their position and avoid a follow-on, while South Africa seeks to capitalize on their momentum and secure a comprehensive series victory.

Original Source: apnews.com