With 16 wickets falling, the first Test between Pakistan and South Africa at Lahore moved at breakneck pace on Day 3. On a dry and crumbly surface, South Africa were left requiring a further 226 runs to win with 8 wickets in hand.
Resuming the day on 82, Tony de Zorzi stroked his way to a composed century but fell soon after. The rest of the South African lower order failed to show any notable resistance and South Africa were bundled out for 269 having added 53 runs to their overnight tally. Noman Ali, who picked up two additional wickets in the morning, finished with figures of 6-112 as Pakistan claimed a substantial 109-run lead.
Their second essay, however, did not go to plan. Imam-ul-Haq, who scored 93 in the first innings, was out stumped for a two-ball duck to Simon Harmer in the second over. Harmer then struck again to dismiss Pakistan’s captain Shan Masood just before lunch to leave the hosts on 36/2.
Abdullah Shafique, who’d batted well for his 41, threw his start away after the resumption and was out returning a catch to Senuran Muthusamy. With the pitch offering plenty of turn and bounce, the South African spinners continued to pose questions. There was a period of relative stability for Pakistan when Babar Azam and Saud Shakeel were at the crease. The duo shared a 55-run stand with Babar in particular looking solid. He struck a hat-trick of fours off Muthusamy but was undone by Kagiso Rabada in the very next over. The end of the second session was marked by Shakeel throwing his wicket away. Having looked well set at the crease during his 38, Shakeel holed out to deep mid-wicket attempting a slog-sweep.
Pakistan then suffered a dramatic collapse at the beginning of the third session as they lost their last five wickets for just 17 runs in the space of 6.3 overs. Muthusamy starred once again as he claimed another five-wicket haul while Harmer ended with four.
Set 277 to win, South Africa’s openers started watchfully. Noman Ali struck for Pakistan in the sixth over by bowling Aiden Markram and he returned to claim his second wicket by having Wiaan Mulder caught at slip just an over later. The left-handed pair of Ryan Rickelton and Tony de Zorzi then demonstrated exemplary technique and temperament as they safely took South Africa through to stumps. Pakistan did offer Rickelton a reprieve after Shafique dropped him at short-leg but the remaining overs passed by uneventfully.
Brief Scores: Pakistan 378 & 167 (Babar Azam 42; Senuran Muthusamy 5-57, Simon Harmer 4-51) lead South Africa 269 & 51/2 (Ryan Rickelton 29*; Noman Ali 2-20) by 226 runs
