Pakistan resume at 259 for five on the second day of play, in the Test match against South Africa, in Rawalpindi with Saud Shakeel 42 (105) and Salman Ali Agha 10 (25) at the crease.
Shan Masood and Saud Shakeel resumed the final session at 177-3 in 62 overs and continued Pakistan’s strong batting display, steadily adding runs as the skipper approached his Test century. Pakistan crossed the 200-run mark in the 70th over.
The pair contributed 45 runs for the fourth wicket before Keshav Maharaj struck to claim his second wicket by dismissing Shan Masood for 87 off 176 balls, with two fours and three sixes. Pakistan were reeling at 212-4 in 73.3 overs.
Mohammad Rizwan joined Saud at the crease and provided a crucial start, but his innings ended with Kagiso Rabada claiming his wicket for 19 runs off 39 balls, including two boundaries.
Pakistan resumed their innings on the second day with Saud Shakeel unbeaten on 42 off 105 balls, alongside Salman Ali Agha, who is on 10 off 25 deliveries.
For the Proteas, Simon Harmer and Keshav Maharaj took two wickets each, while Kagiso Rabada claimed one wicket.
Earlier, Pakistan started confidently as Imam-ul-Haq and Abdullah Shafique added quick runs, finding boundaries with ease and keeping the scoreboard ticking in the morning session.
The opening pair looked set for a solid stand before Imam was clean bowled by spinner Simon Harmer for 17 off 35 balls, ending a 35-run partnership in the 13th over.
Abdullah Shafique continued positively, mixing aggression with calmness to keep the pressure on the South African bowlers.
Captain Shan Masood then joined Shafique and immediately made his presence felt by smashing two towering sixes as Pakistan reached 65-1 after 20 overs.
The duo brought up a 50-run stand in the 25th over, with both growing in confidence as lunch approached.
Masood and Shafique continued their positive approach after lunch with 95-1 in 30 overs and helped Pakistan cross the 100-run mark.
Masood remained solid to reach his 13th Test fifty, while Shafique played a crucial role after a slow start in the series opener.
The breakthrough came when Harmer dismissed Shafique for 57 off 146 balls, including four boundaries.
Babar Azam then joined Masood and got off to a steady start, but the duo added only 21 runs for the third wicket before Babar was dismissed for 16 off 22 balls by Keshav Maharaj, leaving Pakistan at 167-3 in 56 overs.
Pakistan led the two-match series 1-0 after a 93-run win in Lahore, where Noman Ali took a 10-wicket match and Shaheen Afridi played four in the fourth innings. Pakistan made one change for Rawalpindi, making a debut for Asif Afridi in place of Hasan Ali.
