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Pakistan claw back after Noman's four wickets despite Rickelton, de Zorzi's fifties on Day 2

Arnav Chopra

Noman Ali (Source: @ICC/X.com)Noman Ali (Source: @ICC/X.com)

It was another dominant day for the home side, Pakistan, who first put up 378 runs on the board and then dismissed six of the South African batters on Day 2 of the first Test. Courtesy of spinner Noman Ali's four-wicket haul, South Africa were in a spot of bother as Tony de Zorzi stood tall against the spin challenge as they registered 216 runs on the board for the loss of 6 wickets by stumps.

Here, we take a look at the highlights of the 2nd day of the first Test between Pakistan vs South Africa, as it unfolded at the Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore.

Pakistan bowled out for 378 as Muthusamy gets a 6-fer

Beginning the day on 313 for 5, with the experienced duo of Mohammad Rizwan and Salman Agha at the crease, the Pakistan duo stitched a decent 163-run partnership for the sixth wicket, following which Rizwan departed for 75, courtesy of Senuran Muthusamy.

Just two balls later, the next batter, Noman Ali, was dismissed for a duck, while the upcoming batter, Sajid Khan, was sent back for a golden duck as Pakistan lost three wickets in a single over of Muthuswamy. With 362 runs on the board for the loss of eight wickets, Salman Agha put up some runs where Shaheen Afridi was dismissed for seven. Agha went on to score 93 off 145 deliveries and was dismissed by Prenelan Subrayen.

The last wicket fell immediately after Afridi's dismissal, with Agha being the last man. Pakistan had 378 runs on the board after 110.4 overs as they were bowled out, where spinner Senuran Muthuswamy claimed a magnificent six-wicket haul, in a major redemption for the Proteas.

South Africa in a spot of bother after losing 6 wickets for 216 runs by stumps

Going after the massive score, South Africa had a decent start with skipper Aiden Markram and Ryan Rickelton putting up runs, giving them a good head start. Markram fell for 20 with South Africa having 45 runs on the board, where one-down batter Wiaan Mulder could only manage 17, as both were victims of Noman Ali.

After two wickets fell with just 80 runs on the board, the duo of Rickelton and Tony de Zorzi batted incredibly well as they piled up runs in their third-wicket partnership, finding 94 runs for the third wicket before Rickelton was sent back by Salman Agha for 71.

When Rickelton fell when South Africa had 173 runs on the board for the loss of three wickets, the visitors lost quick wickets courtesy of spinners Noman Ali and Sajid Khan. Tristan Stubbs was rocked for eight while Dewald Brevis' promise looked unfulfilled as he was sent back by Sajid on the very first delivery.

Kyle Verreynne could only manage two off 13 deliveries and had an altercation while walking back with the Pakistani players. However, with six wickets down and just 200 runs on the board, South Africa had to rebuild their innings following the collapse.

With a few overs left in the day, Senuran Muthuswamy, alongside Tony de Zorzi, batted decently well to score 16 runs for the seventh wicket. Muthuswamy, although scoring just 6* off 19 deliveries, but helped Proteas not lose another wicket as they were in trouble.

Meanwhile, on the other hand, de Zorzi batted incredibly well, finishing the day with 81 not out off 140 deliveries with nine boundaries and a maximum in his tally.

Spinner Noman Ali grabbed a decent four-wicket haul while Sajid Khan and Salman Agha bagged one each. By the end of Day 2 of the first Test, South Africa had 216 runs on the board for the loss of six wickets after completing their 67 overs, still trailing by 162 runs, heading into Day 3.