The second Test between South Africa and Pakistan It was an entertaining contest in Johannesburg, with South Africa dominating early and Pakistan showing resilience late in the match. It saw a massive 615, including South Africa’s first innings Ryan Rickelton‘s two centuries and centuries Temba Bavuma and Kyle Verreyne. Pakistan’s response faltered as they were dismissed for a paltry 194 Kagiso Rabada and Marco Jansen shines with a ball.
Forced to chase, Pakistan put up an impressive fight thanks to it Shan Massoud‘s unbeaten century and Babar Azam’s 81, the duo added 205 for the opening wicket. According to stumps on day 3, Pakistan reached 213/1 to reduce the deficit to 208 runs. The battle is now in the balance, with both teams eyeing crucial points to take control. Day 4 promises to be a fascinating chapter in this high-stakes Test.
South Africa’s dominance with the bat
South Africa showed batting dominance with a total of 615 runs in their first innings. The highlight of their performance was Rickelton’s masterful knock of 259 runs, an exhibition of precision and patience. His innings, laced with 29 boundaries and three powerful sixes, laid the foundation for the Proteas’ total. Bavuma contributed to the captain’s knock of 106, showing great tenacity and determination at the crease.
Verreynne also joined the centurion’s club, scoring a fluid 100 runs that added depth to South Africa’s batting efforts. Down the order, Jansen’s quick-fire 62 further demoralized the Pakistani bowlers. Muhammad Abbas and Mr. Salman It was the pick of the bowlers for Pakistan, taking three wickets each but struggling to stem the flow of runs. South Africa’s relentless aggression forced Pakistan to face an uphill battle from the start.
Pakistan’s struggle in the first innings
Pakistan’s first innings was a story of frustration and missed opportunities as the visitors could muster only 194 runs. Babar tried to anchor the innings with 58 but the lack of support from the other batsmen proved costly. A top-order collapse rattled Pakistan, with South Africa’s duo of Rabada and Jansen exploiting every weakness. Rabada’s fiery three-wicket innings stood out for its relentless pace and accuracy.
Keshav Maharaj added to the misery with two crucial dismissals, showing his guile on a pitch that offered little spin. Pakistan’s middle and lower order crumbled under constant pressure, with no batsman stepping up to steady the batting. A huge deficit of 421 runs forced Pakistan to continue, a scenario that put their resilience to the ultimate test. The first innings exposed the visitors’ weaknesses against quality bowling in testing conditions.
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Shan Masood and Babar Azam lead the charge
After being forced out, Pakistan showed remarkable determination led by Masood’s unbeaten century. Masud’s 102-ball 166 was a challenge and technical brilliance that ensured his team avoided an immediate collapse. Former skipper Babar completed it with a knock of 81, showing his ability to absorb pressure in difficult conditions. Together, the duo formed a crucial opening partnership of 205, laying a solid foundation for Pakistan’s fightback.
Their partnership frustrated South Africa’s bowlers, who struggled to find breakthroughs on a much lighter pitch. Masud’s string of elegant shots and Azam’s accurate shot selection kept the scoreboard steady. At the end of Day 3, Pakistan reached 213/1 and reduced the deficit significantly to 208 runs. A lively batting display revived hopes of saving the match and set the stage for an exciting Day 4.
South Africa’s bowling efforts in the second innings
South Africa’s bowlers worked tirelessly in the second innings but had limited success against Pakistan’s rejuvenated top order. Jansen was the lone wicketkeeper and dismissed Babar with a well-directed short delivery that ended a crucial opening stand. Maharaj bowled with exceptional control, sealing one end down with his precise line and length. Despite their efforts, the pitch flattened out and did little to help the bowlers.
Rabada and Ngidi tried to get pace and bounce but were largely neutralized by Masood and Azam’s disciplined approach. The South African fielders maintained their high energy levels by preventing easy runs and applying pressure. The bowlers were persistently looking for breakthroughs in the attacking fields that could turn the game in their favour. South Africa will aim to regroup and strategize overnight to break Pakistan’s momentum on the penultimate day.
Here’s how the fans reacted:
Brilliant shot
Shan Masood, Babar Azam scored a new record against South Africa#SAvPAK pic.twitter.com/uSKRtyla5L— Rashid Latif 🇵🇰 (@iRashidLatif68) January 5, 2025
Bad Situation
Babar class is permanent &
The form is also back
♥️Shan Masood and Babar Azam 🥶#SAvPAK #not found #Don’tStopBroadcasting #CatchEveryMatch pic.twitter.com/tyA1vaxM7n
— Abdul Ghaffar 🇵🇰 (@GhaffarDawnNews) January 5, 2025
Shan Masood & Babar Azam…pure class so far!
This is one of the best opening Test partnerships I have seen in a long time, both are looking incredible at the moment. Long on it, one of them is needed to get a big hundred to save this match.
— Raz Khan (@razkhan789) January 5, 2025
It has been a strong effort from Shan and Babar in the third innings.
Both tattoos are over fifty and look like a million bucks there.
— Behram Ghazi 🇵🇰 🇨🇦 (@DeafMango) January 5, 2025
The PCB cannot remove Shan Masood from Pakistan’s Test captaincy for the 2025-27 World Test Championship. #SAvPAK
— Arfa Feroz Zake (@ArfaSays_) January 5, 2025
6th Test century for Shan Masood! Great knock by the Pakistan captain.#SAvPAK | #PakistanCricket pic.twitter.com/idTQlGPMRV
— Sanan Arshad (@Sanan_Here) January 5, 2025
This is a great shot by Shan Masood. Beating the captain under pressure.
— Dale (@ncakos316) January 5, 2025
Babar Azam’s knock was a tribute to Virat Kohli, otherwise he was on course for a decent century!
— Basit Subhani (@BasitSubhani) January 5, 2025
A good end to the day for Pakistan is spoiled by Babar’s wicket but Shan Masood is still there on 102*.
213-1#SAvPAK
— ThePoppingCrease (@PoppingCreaseSA) January 5, 2025
The Proteas really should have batted again and not enforced the follow-on, eh? #SAvPAK
— naemeh (@NaeemahBenjamin) January 5, 2025
MUHAMMAD BABAR AZAM HAS TO BE THE LUCKIEST PLAYER IN WORLD CRICKET.
Excellent combat shots KING. CENTURY deserved!
— Zubair Shakeel Wani (@ZubiTalks) January 5, 2025
This is a quality Shan Masood test 💯 #SAvPAk pic.twitter.com/BownixMEUL
— Lawrence Bailey ⚪ 🇿🇦 (@LawrenceBailey0) January 5, 2025
