SOUTH AFRICA TOUR OF PAKISTAN, 2025
Masood missed out on a ton by 13 runs. © Getty
Resolute half-centuries from Shan Masood and Abdullah Shafique, and a patient unbeaten 41 from Saud Shakeel, guided Pakistan to 259 for 5 at the end of an attritional opening day of the second Test against South Africa in Rawalpindi. A 111-run second-wicket stand between Masood and Shafique laid a solid platform, but South Africa’s patience and discipline ensured the honours were evenly shared by stumps, although they could have had the upper hand had they not missed a few chances on a Day 1 track that was decent for batting.
Opting to bat, Shafique and Imam-ul-Haq struck some boundaries initially, and the former also had a few lucky breaks. He was put down by Tristan Stubbs off Kagiso Rabada, and a delivery from Marco Jansen brushed the off stump without dislodging the bails. Spin was introduced in the 10th over and Keshav Maharaj, who induced a leading edge from Shafique, couldn’t hold on to the catch.
Simon Harmer came on for the 13th over and he squared up Imam with a sharp turner to have him bowled. Masood then showed some intent against spin, striking sixes off Harmer and Senuran Muthusamy, while Shafique got an lbw decision overturned using the DRS in Maharaj’s over. The second wicket pair extended their partnership past 50, taking Pakistan to 95/1 at Lunch.
Pakistan’s progress was slow in the second session with only 82 runs coming off 32 overs. Masood crossed fifty early in the session before Shafique got a reprieve as an edge off Maharaj was deflected by the ‘keeper Kyle Verreynne, making it a tough take for Aiden Markram at slip. The pair built a watchful partnership, with Shafique also getting a half-century as they raised a century stand. The partnership was ended by Harmer who had Shafique caught down the leg side.
Babar Azam began positively, scoring boundaries off Harmer and Maharaj, while Masood was dropped again – this time by Muthusamy at short fine off Maharaj. South Africa lost a review when Maharaj thought he had Babar trapped in front, but there was an inside edge. However, the batter fell the very next ball, with Tony de Zorzi taking an excellent catch at silly point a few overs before Tea.
Masood and Shakeel were involved in a patient stand, taking more than 100 deliveries for their 45-run partnership, which came to an end when Masood top-edged a sweep off Maharaj to depart for 87.
Mohammad Rizwan hit a couple of boundaries but his stay was a short one as Rabada struck with the second new ball to have the wicketkeeper-batter lbw with a delivery that angled in. Salman Agha and Shakeel took Pakistan through to stumps without further damage, with the hosts adding 82 runs in the final session, in 29 overs.
Brief scores: Pakistan 259/5 (Shan Masood 87, Abdullah Shafique 57, Saud Shakeel 42*; Keshav Maharaj 2-63, Simon Harmer 2-75) vs South Africa.
© Cricbuzz
