SA vs PAK 2nd Test Day 3 Highlights: Babar, Masood Fight Back After Rabada, Maphaka Force Follow-On

Babar Azam in action against South Africa on Day 2 [Source: AP Photos]

Babar Azam listed his second half-century of the match while his captain Shan Masood hauled a scintillating second-innings ton as Pakistan staged a remarkable fightback against South Africa on Day 3 of the Cape Town Test. Earlier in the day, the visitors conceded a 421-run lead to the Proteas.

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

SA vs PAK Highlights: Babar Azam Leads Pakistan Recovery With Watchful 50

Unbeaten batters Babar Azam and Mohammad Rizwan resumed Pakistan’s overnight innings at 64-3 and steered them past the 100-run mark within the opening hour of Day 3. Babar went on to record his 28th Test half-century and second in succession to top-score for Pakistan with 58 runs from 127 balls. The legendary Pakistani batter unleashed seven boundaries in his watchful knock before South Africa’s young paceman Kwena Maphaka trapped him down the leg side.

Mohammad Rizwan was also cleaned up by Wiaan Mulder after cracking a fluent 46 from 82 balls while Agha Salman was out stumped by Kyle Verreynne off Keshav Maharaj as Pakistan batters walked into lunch at 155-6 from 45 overs.

SA vs PAK Highlights: Rabada, Maphaka Clean Up Pakistan Tail As SA Enforce Follow-On

With Saim Ayub out injured, Kagiso Rabada and young Kwena Maphaka prevented the Pakistani tail from flourishing in the afternoon session. The two speedsters, coupled with ace spinner Keshav Maharaj folded up the visitors for just 194 in 54.2 overs as South Africa gained a huge 421-run first innings lead.

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Rabada, after wrecking Pakistan’s top order late on Day 2, bounced out a well-set Aamer Jamal for 15 while Maphaka picked up his second wicket of the innings in the form of Khurram Shahzad. Maharaj, meanwhile, deceived Mir Hamza for 13 to pick up his second wicket to claim figures of 2-14 from eight overs.

SA vs PAK Highlights: Shan Masood, Babar Azam Spark Pakistan’s Fightback

Following on with a deficit of 421 runs, Pakistan openers Shan Masood and Babar Azam staged a miraculous fightback for the visitors. The two cricketers shared 205 runs for the opening wicket to become the first Asian opening pair to record a 200-run partnership in Tests in South Africa.

Babar counterattacked with 81 runs from 124 balls to bring up his second half-century of the day. Unfurling 10 boundaries in the process, the legendary Pakistan batter was toppled by Marco Jansen in the 47th over of the innings. Captain Masood, on the other hand, brought up his sixth Test century to reach 102* by stumps alongside night watchman Khurram Shahzad (8*).

Trailing by another 208 runs, Pakistan will resume their second innings at 213-1 from 49 overs on Day 4.

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