South Africa’s lower order fought back strongly on the third day of the Rawalpindi Test, with Keshav Maharaj and Senuran Muthusamy leading a spirited recovery after debutant Asif Afridi’s five-wicket haul had put Pakistan on top earlier.
South Africa resumed their innings at an overnight score of 185-4 on Day 3, with Asif removing Verreynne (10) in the very first over. The left-armer then removed well-settled Tristan Stubbs (76) and Simon Harmer, who made just two.
With South Africa 210-7, Senuran Muthusamy and Marco Jansen stitched a useful 25-run partnership for the eighth wicket before the former was removed by Noman Ali.
Keshav Maharaj then joined Muthusamy, and the pair have so far added 50 runs as Pakistan squandered several opportunities to secure a substantial lead.
Pakistan dropped three catches and a stumping chance as Maharaj and Muthusamy managed to score freely to reduce the deficit.
At lunch on Day 3, the visitors managed to make 285-8 with Muthusamy (48) and Maharaj (23) at the crease.
Meanwhile, Asif got his name registered in cricket history, becoming the oldest player ever to take a five-wicket haul on Test debut, achieving the feat at 38 years and 299 days.
Asif broke a 92-year-old record held by England’s Charles Marriott, who took five wickets on debut at 37 years and 332 days against the West Indies at The Oval in 1933.
Ryan Rickelton (14), Aiden Markram (32), Tony de Zorzi (55), and Dewald Brevis (0) were the batters dismissed on Day 2.
Shaheen Afridi, Sajid Khan, and Noman also took a wicket each.
Pakistan, batting first, had earlier suffered a dramatic collapse, losing their last five wickets for just 17 runs. From a commanding 316-5, the hosts were bowled out for 333 after a sensational spell by Keshav Maharaj, who claimed all five of the final wickets.
Pakistan got off to a steady start as openers Imam-ul-Haq and Abdullah Shafique put on 35 runs for the first wicket before Imam was bowled by Simon Harmer for 17 off 35 balls.
Abdullah Shafique continued with composure, combining aggression with patience to counter South Africa’s bowling.
Skipper Shan Masood joined him and displayed positive intent, hitting two towering sixes as Pakistan reached 65-1 after 20 overs. The duo built a 50-run stand before lunch, maintaining momentum.
After the break, both batters guided Pakistan past 100. Masood reached his 13th Test fifty, while Shafique notched his sixth. Their 111-run partnership for the second wicket ended when Harmer dismissed Shafique for 57 off 146 balls.
Babar Azam contributed 16 off 22 balls before falling to Keshav Maharaj, leaving Pakistan at 167-3. Masood narrowly missed a century, scoring 87 off 176 deliveries with two fours and three sixes.
Mohammad Rizwan and Saud Shakeel added 34 for the fifth wicket before Kagiso Rabada trapped Rizwan lbw for 19, reducing Pakistan to 246-5 in 84.5 overs.
Resuming day two at 259-5, Saud Shakeel and Salman Ali Agha stabilised the innings, adding 70 for the sixth wicket.
Shakeel brought up his ninth Test fifty, while Agha contributed 45 off 76 balls with five boundaries before being dismissed by Maharaj.
Maharaj then struck again, removing Shakeel for a well-crafted 66 off 147 balls.
He continued his dominance by dismissing Shaheen Afridi for a duck to complete his five-wicket haul, and later accounted for Sajid Khan (5) and debutant Asif Afridi, as Pakistan were bowled out for 333 in 113.4 overs.
Maharaj finished with outstanding figures of 7 for 102, while Simon Harmer and Kagiso Rabada took a wicket apiece. For Pakistan, captain Shan Masood top-scored with 87, while Saud Shakeel contributed a solid 66.
