South Africa started the second day of the first Test against Pakistan at the Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore on Tuesday and resumed their innings at 216 for 6.
Tony de Zorzi, who showed patience and solid technique against the Pakistani spinners, remained unbeaten on 81, joined by Senuran Muthusamy on 6.
Pakistan will look to end the visitors’ innings early while South Africa will look to reduce the 162-run deficit as much as possible.
On Day 2, Pakistan were bowled out for 378 runs, thanks to an exceptional spell from left-arm spinner Senuran Muthusamy, who registered his career-best figures in Test cricket.
Imam-ul-Haq and Salman Agha made 93 each, while Muthusamy finished with impressive figures of 6 for 117 in 32 overs.
Chasing Pakistan’s first innings total of 378 runs, South Africa got off to a steady start as openers Aiden Markram and Ryan Rickelton negotiated the Pakistani bowling attack before lunch.
After the break, Markram, who recently became the 18th South African to reach 3,000 Test runs, added valuable runs alongside Rickelton.
However, the partnership was broken when Noman Ali dismissed Markram for 20 off 37 balls, leaving South Africa at 45-1 in 11.5 overs.
Wiaan Mulder then joined Rickelton and contributed with the bat as Rickelton continued to find boundaries and take the score to 75-1 in 22 overs.
Their stand ended when Noman struck again, removing Mulder for 17 off 41 balls, including three fours.
Tony de Zorzi came in next and enjoyed a bit of luck, pushing two deliveries past the slip fielders for boundaries. His contributions were crucial as South Africa reached 90-2 in 26 overs.
In the final session, Rickelton showed his class, scoring his maiden Test fifty and helping the pair set up a 50-run partnership.
De Zorzi also rose to the occasion and reached his third Test half-century, helping South Africa surpass the 150-run mark and reach 154-2 in 45 overs. The duo continued to put pressure on Pakistan, finding limits as they grew in confidence.
However, the 94-run stand was broken when Salman Ali removed Agha Rickelton, who played a crucial knock of 71 off 137 balls, including nine fours and two sixes, leaving the Proteas at 174-3 in 50.1 overs.
The momentum then swung firmly in Pakistan’s favour. Tristan Stubbs fell cheaply for eight to Noman Ali, who claimed his third wicket.
In the next over, Sajid Khan struck and dismissed middle-order batsman Dewald Brevis for a first-ball duck, putting pressure on South Africa at 193-5 in 56 overs.
Noman was in scorching form, claiming his fourth wicket by trapping South Africa’s sixth batsman, Kyle Verreynne, LBW, for just two runs off 12 balls.
