South Africa started their second innings at 51 for 2 on Wednesday, chasing a 277-run target against Pakistan on Day 4 of the opening Test at the Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore.
Ryan Rickelton remained unbeaten on 29 off 76 balls, while Tony De Zorzi hit on 16 off 44 deliveries. The visitors still need 226 runs for victory while Pakistan need eight wickets to seal the match.
The role of spinners Noman Ali – who has already struck twice – and Sajid Khan would be very important as 30 of the 32 wickets that have fallen in the match so far have been taken by spinners.
Day 3
Chasing 277, the Proteas outscored Stumps 51-2 on Day 3, after an early setback when captain Aiden Markram was dismissed by Noman for just three runs, leaving the team at 13-1.
Noman struck again shortly afterwards, removing Wiaan Mulder for a duck, putting even more pressure on the visitors. Rickelton and De Zorzi steadied the innings to form an unbeaten 33-run partnership for the third wicket.
In the second innings, Pakistan, having led by 109 runs in the first innings, were bowled out for 167 runs as they lost six wickets for just 17 runs. The hosts were all set to set a target of 350 runs for South Africa before falling from 150-4 to 167 all out.
For Pakistan, Babar Azam (42) remained the top scorer, followed by Abdullah Shafique, who scored 41. Senuran Muthusamy took a maiden 10-wicket haul in a match with figures of 5-57 in the second innings.
Simon Harmer was also brilliant with the ball, taking four wickets for 51 runs.
South Africa managed to score 269 in their first innings as De Zorzi (104) stood out with a calm century, showing courage against Pakistan’s spin attack, while Rickelton added a solid 71.
For Pakistan, Nauman played at figures of 6 for 112, supported by Sajid Khan, who took three wickets, and Salman Agha, who bagged one.
