Pakistan’s first innings in the opening Test match against South Africa at Lahore’s Gaddafi Stadium came to an end with a total of 378 runs on the scoreboard.
Resuming play on the second day at 313 for 5, the team faced a tough session as South African bowlers quickly picked up key wickets.
Mohammad Rizwan, who had shown great composure on the previous day, managed to score a solid 75 runs before being dismissed early in the morning session.
The standout performances for Pakistan came from Imam-ul-Haq and Salman Ali Agha, both of whom narrowly missed centuries after scoring 93 runs each. Their partnership was crucial in helping Pakistan build a competitive total, especially after a shaky start earlier in the innings.
On the bowling side, Senuran Muthusamy was the clear star for South Africa. The left-arm spinner delivered a remarkable spell, taking 6 wickets, which marked the best bowling performance of his Test career.
His disciplined line and variation troubled Pakistan’s middle and lower order, preventing them from crossing the 400-run mark.
The South African bowlers maintained consistent pressure throughout the innings, with good support from the fielders. Despite Pakistan’s strong start led by its top order, the visitors managed to regain control in the latter stages of the innings.
As the match progresses, South Africa now has the chance to build momentum with the bat. With Pakistan posting a challenging yet chaseable total, day two promises to be a decisive phase in setting the tone for the rest of the Test series.
