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Asif Afridi picks 6, but South Africa claw back with a disturbing final wicket stand on Day 3

Arnav Chopra

PAK vs SA (Source: AFP Photos)PAK vs SA (Source: AFP Photos)

It turned out to be another thrilling day of Test cricket in Rawalpindi, where Pakistan finished the day on 94/4 after 35 overs, as they gathered a lead of 23 runs. All that after South Africa sky-rocketed to 404 as the last wicket partnership took them to safe quarters.

Here, we take a look at the highlights of the third day of the second Test between Pakistan vs South Africa as it unfolded at the Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium, Rawalpindi, on October 22nd.

Asif Afridi bags 6, but Rabada, Muthusamy build 98-run partnership for 10th wicket

South Africa began the day with 185 runs on the board for the loss of four wickets when the duo of Kyle Verreynne and Tristan Stubbs walked onto the centre. However, soon after, Verreynne lost his wicket for just 10, courtesy of Asif Afridi, while Stubbs couldn't survive for long either, as he was dismissed for 76 by the same bowler.

Following that, Senuran Muthusamy made his way out to the middle and tried to join hands with Simon Harmer, but the latter couldn't do much and was the fifth victim of the experienced Asif Afridi, for just two runs.

Marco Jansen, with 10, and Keshav Maharaj, with 30, provided some late-order runs, with South Africa losing the ninth wicket on 306 runs on the board. Muthusamy then welcomed his final batting partner for the innings, Kagiso Rabada.

Nevertheless, Pakistan could not have predicted the storm that was coming their way, as both the batters batted exceedingly well, especially Rabada for the final wicket, scoring a blitzkreig 71 off 61 balls with four boundaries and as many maximums, while Muthusamy remained unbeaten on 89 with eight boundaries.

For the final wicket, the duo combined for 98 runs, as they took the score well past 400, scoring exactly 404 after playing 119.3 overs. Thanks to their partnership, South Africa gathered a lead of 71 runs in the end, as Asif Afridi was the star man for the Pakistani lineup, picking up six wickets for 79 runs in his 34.3 overs.

Simon Harmer dismisses three as Pakistan lose four with Babar still at the crease

Pakistan, who were behind by 71 runs, had a poor start, losing their first three wickets for just 16 runs, with Simon Harmer picking up two and Kagiso Rabada grabbing a wicket. Imam-ul-Haq, Abdullah Shafique, and skipper Shan Masood failed, scoring 9, 6, and a duck, respectively, putting Pakistan in further trouble.

They were in proper inconvenience when the veteran Babar Azam walked out to the centre and decided he wanted to put some runs after his name. The next batter, Saud Shakeel, could only gather 11 as Pakistan then lost their fourth wicket for 60 runs on the board.

Later, Mohammad Rizwan, who remained not out on 16, supported Azam well. Azam was batting on 49 not out after facing 83 deliveries with seven boundaries, as Pakistan finished the day with 94 runs on the board for the loss of four wickets after facing 35 overs. They managed to gather a lead of 23 runs when stumps were called on Day 3.

Simon Harmer was the pick of the bowlers in the third innings, grabbing three wickets for 26 runs, whilst Rabada has managed a single scalp so far.