Day 3: Masood and Babar Rally After South Africa Enforces Follow-On
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Cape Town, Jan 5 (NationPress) Pakistan's captain Shan Masood and Babar Azam mounted a significant comeback in their second innings after South Africa enforced follow-on during Day 3 of the second Test in Cape Town on Sunday.
Earlier today, the home side dismissed Pakistan for just 194 runs in the first innings, following a staggering total of 615 runs.
Pakistan resumed their first innings from 64/3 on Day 3. Babar, who was not out at 31, managed to add 27 runs to his score before being sent back by debutant Kwena Maphaka. Mohammad Rizwan was next to go, falling victim to an inside edge off Wiaan Mulder, which crashed onto his stumps. The visitors lost regular wickets as a late collapse resulted in a total of 194, having already suffered the loss of promising player Saim Ayub due to a fractured ankle.
With a defeat by an innings looking inevitable, as Pakistan trailed by 421 runs, Babar (81) and Shan Masood (102 not out) forged a remarkable 205-run opening partnership, marking the longest follow-on partnership for Pakistan. While Masood celebrated a century, it appeared that Babar was also on the verge of a ton before he was dismissed in the 47th over, just before stumps. Marco Jansen delivered a full-length ball that Babar edged while attempting a cover drive. The visitors concluded the day at 213/1, now trailing the Proteas by 208 runs.
Opener Ryan Rickelton achieved a remarkable maiden double century, while Kyle Verreynne (100) and Marco Jansen made crucial contributions, enabling South Africa to set an imposing first innings total before claiming three early wickets to gain a substantial lead on Day 2.
Rickleton scored an impressive 259 for his first double century, while wicketkeeper batter Verreynne produced a century, showcasing a dominant batting performance from South Africa on the match's second day.
Summary of scores: South Africa 615 all out in 141.3 overs (Ryan Rickelton 259, Temba Bavuma 106, Kyle Verreynne 100, Marco Jansen 62; Mohammad Abbas 3-94, Salman Agha 3-148) leads Pakistan 194/10 & 213/1 (Shan Masood 102*, Babar Azam 81; Marco Jansen 56/1) by 208 runs.
