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Tristan Stubbs puts South Africa in command after Keshav Maharaj's 7-fer on Day 2

Arnav Chopra

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

It was another comprehensive day of Test cricket between Pakistan and South Africa in the ongoing second Test, where Day 2 turned out to be another high-class, competitive day of cricket. After Pakistan were cleaned up for 333, courtesy of Keshav Maharaj's 7-wicket haul, South Africa ended the day on 185 for four after playing 65 overs.

Here, we take a look at the highlights of the second day of the second Test between Pakistan vs South Africa as it unfolded at the Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium, Rawalpindi, on October 21st.

Maharaj bags 7-fer as Pakistan endure batting collapse

Pakistan ended Day 1 on 258 for five after playing 90 overs, and as they began Day 2 of this thrilling Test, the duo of Saud Shakeel and Salman Agha walked into the center where they stitched an outstanding partnership for the sixth wicket, taking the score from 246 for five to 316 for six; however, after that, a major batting collapse happened.

As Agha departed for 45, courtesy of Keshav Maharaj, who trapped him in front of his stumps, Shakeel was the next victim for 66, as Maharaj was again in the limelight.

All of a sudden, Pakistan, who were 316 for five, were, in fact, bowled out for 333, where Keshav Maharaj was the star man for the Proteas side with a seven-wicket haul, giving away 102 runs after bowling 42.4 overs.

His excellent bowling ensured that Pakistan couldn't get anywhere past 350, which they were aiming for, as they lost their last five wickets for just 17 runs in the end.

South Africa finishes the day strong on 185 for four as Tristan Stubbs leads the way

After having plenty of idea that the pitch will turn and aid spinners, South Africa seemed prepared. But the opener, Ryan Rickelton, fell to left-arm pacer Shaheen Afridi for just 14. Later, Aiden Markram, the South African skipper, was the second victim, having scored 32 runs, as he couldn't survive against spinner Sajid Khan.

After being reduced to 54 for two, South Africa were on the back foot, and then came last match's hero Tony de Zorzi, who joined hands with youngster Tristan Stubbs. The duo formed an outstanding 113-run partnership for the third wicket, as de Zorzi fell for 55, courtesy of spinner Asif Afridi.

The visitors lost their third wicket on 167, as Dewald Brevis came but couldn't leave any impact, where he was dismissed for a four-ball duck, putting South Africa in further trouble. They were all of a sudden four down for 171, and with a few overs left in the day, wicketkeeper Kyle Verreynne walked out to the middle and joined hands with Tristan Stubbs, as the duo ensured that the Proteas didn't lose any other wicket by stumps, as they ended Day 2 with 185 runs on the board for the loss of four wickets, where they had played out a total of 65 overs in the day.

While Verreynne remained unbeaten on 10, Stubbs was outstanding, scoring 68 not out off 184 deliveries with six boundaries and a maximum to his name. The 38-year-old left-arm spinner Asif Afridi bowled outstandingly well, picking two wickets, while Sajid Khan and Shaheen Afridi grabbed one each. By stumps on Day 2, South Africa were trailing by 148 runs, as their scorecard read 185/4 after 65 overs.