SA vs PAK 2nd Test Day 1 Highlights: Bavuma, Rickelton Wear Down Pakistan With Majestic Tons

Ryan Rickelton in beast mode against Pakistan on Day 1 [Source: @ProteasMenCSA/x]

South Africa shrugged off its early pre-lunch jitters through majestic centuries from Ryan Rickelton and captain Temba Bavuma. Finishing off the opening day of the Cape Town Test on a strong note, the two cricketers batted out more than 50 overs to share 235 runs.

Here’s the timeline of how SA vs PAK panned out in Cape Town:

SA vs PAK Highlights: Pakistan Finish First Session With Three Quick Wickets

South African openers Aiden Markram and Ryan Rickelton staged 50 runs together from 11.4 overs, and went on to cart 61 runs for the opening wicket after captain Temba Bavuma had won the toss and opted to bat first. With Markram biding his time to get to 17*, the 30-year-old Proteas opener nicked one towards Mohammad Rizwan off Khurram Shahzad at the stroke of lunch.

Mohammad Abbas and Agha Salman also got into the groove with the quick wickets of comeback man Wiaan Mulder (5 off 18) and Tristan Stubbs (0 off 6) respectively as South Africa slipped to 72-3 in 22.5 overs to close off the opening session of play.

SA vs PAK Highlights: Rickelton’s Century, Bavuma’s 50* Seize SA Advantage

Making his way out to the middle right after the opening session, South African number five and captain Temba Bavuma batted out till Tea with unbeaten Ryan Rickelton to add another 112 runs to the total.

---

ALSO READ

WTC 2025 Finalists South Africa Ask Naseem Shah-Less Pakistan To Bowl First In 2nd Test

---

Bavuma got to his 25th Test half-century in the process, while Rickelton notched up his second Test ton, reaching the landmark figure off just 135 deliveries.

Overall, the two milestone men walked off the field for Tea break after navigating the South African total to a commanding 184-3 from 50 overs.

SA vs PAK Highlights: Bavuma Replicates Rickelton, But Loses Control Before Stumps

Ryan Rickelton and Temba Bavuma picked up the run-scoring pace in the final session of play to take South Africa past the 300-run mark before stumps. The two cricketers ensured the Proteas extracted 132 runs from the final 30 overs of the day to maintain an innings run-rate of nearly four-an-over.

Bavuma converted his sublime fifty into his fourth Test century, and scored 106 runs in all from 179 balls with nine boundaries and two sixes. The South African skipper was eventually toppled by Agha Salman mere moments before close of play to prompt David Bedingham for a late arrival into the crease.

Rickelton remained steadfast in his approach and walked off the field with 176* on his back from 232 balls. The unbeaten centurion will resume South Africa’s first innings on Day 2 alongside Bedingham at 316-4.

---

ALSO READ

Why Did Pakistan Drop Naseem Shah For The 2nd Test Against South Africa?

---