Pakistan-South Africa Test hangs in balance
South Africa leftarm spinner George Linde took three wickets to reduce Pakistan to 129 for six at the close of the third day, but the home side has a lead of 200 in a finely balanced second and final Test here.
South Africa’s batting woes in the sub-continent are well-documented and the visitor will not want to chase anything over 250 on a wearing wicket. Mohammad Rizwan (28 batting) and Hasan Ali (0 batting) would hope to take the game away from the tourist on Day Four.
Rizwan put on a 52-run stand for the sixth wicket with Faheem Ashraf (29) before the latter became Linde’s third victim, caught at backward point by Anrich Nortje. Pakistan had been reduced to 76 for five in its second innings as spinners of South Africa made inroads through the top-order, having been bowled out for 201 in the first essay.
Seamer Kagiso Rabada removed Imran Butt for a duck before Abid Ali (13) fell to Keshav Maharaj (2 for 74), who also picked up the key wicket of captain Babar Azam (8). When Linde (3 for 12) removed Azhar Ali (33) and Fawad Alam (12) in quick succession, the contest started swinging South Africa’s way.
Earlier, South Africa’s batting struggles continued. It resumed its innings at 106 for four, but lost captain Quinton de Kock (29) early when he chopped a Shaheen Afridi delivery onto his stumps. Temba Bavuma (44 not out) and Wiaan Mulder (33) put on 50 for the sixth wicket, but the latter was run out attempting an unnecessary second run.
Including that wicket, South Africa lost its last five for a paltry 37 runs with Rabada also run-out after being called through by Bavuma for a risky single. Ali was the best of the lot for Pakistan, taking five wickets for 54 runs.
Pakistan (1st innings) 272 all-out in 114.3 overs; South Africa (1st innings) 201 all-out in 65.4 overs (T Bavuma 44*, H Ali 5/54); Pakistan (2nd innings) 129 for 6 in 51 overs (G Linde 3/12)