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South Africa lose two in tense run-chase as Pakistan gain upper hand on thrilling day 3

Arnav Chopra

PAK vs SA (Source: @ProteasMenCSA/X.com)PAK vs SA (Source: @ProteasMenCSA/X.com)

It turned out to be a proper moving day on the 3rd day of the first Test at Lahore, where South Africa ended up with a score of 51 for two by stumps as Pakistan were bowled out for just 167 in their second innings. Following Tony de Zorzi's 104 in South Africa's first innings and Noman Ali's six wickets, South Africa came back strongly with Senuran Muthusamy and Simon Harmer sharing nine wickets among themselves.

Here, we take a look at the highlights of the 3rd day of the first Test between Pakistan vs South Africa, as it unfolded at the Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore.

South Africa bowled out for 269 after de Zorzi's ton and Noman Ali's 6-fer

Day three began with the South African duo of Tony de Zorzi and Senuran Muthusamy at the crease, with the Proteas having 216 runs on the board for the loss of six wickets.

Muthusamy went on to score just 11, while de Zorzi played brilliantly as he went on to register an outstanding 104. South Africa, after some decent middle overs, got to as far as 269, getting bowled out in 84 overs, where spinner Noman Ali picked a brilliant six-wicket haul.

Pakistan shot for just 167 as Muthusamy, Harmer share 9 wickets

In their second innings, Pakistani opener Abdullah Shafique scored 41, while Babar Azam brought in some form and scored 42. Apart from Saud Shakeel's 38, no other batter could make any significant contribution, and Pakistan were cleaned up for a paltry 167 in 46.1 overs.

Muthusamy grabbed an outstanding five-wicket haul, while Simon Harmer bowled exceedingly well to gather four wickets. In contrast, Kagiso Rabada was the lone pacer to pick up a wicket in Pakistan's second innings.

After this innings, the Pakistan team were ahead by 276, and they set up South Africa a daunting target of 277 to chase in the final innings with more than two days of play left, as the pitch was turning viciously.

South Africa in trouble as two down while chasing 277 for victory

Going after the target of 277, South Africa lost their skipper Aiden Markram early in the sixth over for just three, while one-down batter Wiaan Mulder was dismissed two overs later for a three-ball duck, both courtesy of spinner Noman Ali, who gathered two wickets in this innings after first registering a six-wicket haul in the previous innings.

South Africa were in a spot of bother with just 18 runs on the board for the loss of two wickets when opener Ryan Rickelton joined hands with first innings' centurion Tony de Zorzi, who bailed South Africa out of trouble once again, with Rickelton remaining unbeaten on 29 while de Zorzi having 16 not out after his name by stumps on Day 3, with South Africa having 51 runs on the board without losing any other wicket on a thrilling 16-wicket day in Lahore.

By stumps on Day 3, South Africa now require 226 to win, as Day 4 is expected to offer some more intense action than this one, with the pitch offering uneven bounce and some significant turn for the spinners.