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What Is Innings Defeat In Test Cricket And How Can Pakistan Avoid It?

Arnav Chopra∙ Updated: Jan 5 2025, 8:20 PM

Babar Azam (Source: @CricCrazyJohns/X.com)Babar Azam (Source: @CricCrazyJohns/X.com)

The ongoing second Test between South Africa and Pakistan happening in Cape Town is going heavily in favour of the home side, who have caused visitors a lot of trouble with their top-class batting and venomous bowling. After scoring 615 in their first innings, South Africa bowled out Pakistan for just 194, leaving them with a deficit of 421 while asking them to follow on.

Following-on occurs when a team gets all-out for a score with a margin of 200 runs or more than the score of the team batting first. In simpler terms, a trail of 200 or more after the end of the first innings would allow the batting first team to enforce the follow-on.

What Is Innings Defeat?

Innings defeat happens when a team gets bowled out twice and still does not manage to get more runs cumulatively than the opposition scored in the first innings. A team that is asked to follow on is at danger of getting bowled out again and lose the game by an innings.

Can Pakistan Avoid Innings Defeat?

Pakistan could only manage 194 in their first innings after South Africa smashed 615 with the bat. With a margin of lead being 421, the Proteas asked the visitors to bat again immediately.

Now, with Pakistan trailing by 421 before the start of their second innings, means that they will atleast have to score 421 to avoid the innings defeat. Any less than that would give South Africa the innings victory and ensure they do not have to bat again.

If, in case, Pakistan somehow manage to cross the 421-run barrier, then any additional runs they add after that would be the surplus, and the hosts will have to come out with their bats again and chase the target down.

Supposedly, Pakistan score 450 runs in their second innings, then the target for Proteas would be a simple 30 runs.