South Africa wrapped up a dominant eight-wicket victory over Pakistan in the second Test on Thursday, levelling the two-match series 1-1 at the Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium.
Chasing a small target of 68 runs, captain Aiden Markram and Ryan Rickelton gave the visitors a brisk start with a 64-run stand.
Noman Ali provided a brief opening for Pakistan by removing Markram for 42 and dismissing Tristan Stubbs in the same over, but the outcome was never in doubt.
South Africa cruised to victory in just 12.3 overs, with Rickelton finishing unbeaten on 25.
READ: Babar Azam rescues Pakistan after South Africa’s early breakthroughs
Pakistan’s hopes faded after they were bowled out for just 138 in their second innings, undoing the good work of their first-innings total of 333, where Shan Masood (87), Abdullah Shafique (57), Saud Shakeel (66) and Salman Ali Agha (45) had put the hosts in a competitive position.
South African spinners turned the game on its head. Keshav Maharaj claimed 7/102 in the first innings, while Simon Harmer led the destruction in the second innings with 6/50, supported by Keshav Maharaj and Kagiso Rabada, who continued to strike at key moments.
In reply, South Africa posted 404, powered by a strong lower-order show. Senuran Muthusamy struck an unbeaten 89, Rabada smashed 71 off 61, and Stubbs and Tony de Zorzi added valuable half-centuries.
For Pakistan, Asif Afridi stood out with 6/79, but the visitors’ lead of 71 proved decisive.
Pakistan began their second innings under pressure and collapsed against spin once again. Despite a fighting fifty from Babar Azam, wickets fell regularly and Pakistan folded without setting a challenging target.
With the series ending 1-1, both Pakistan and South Africa remain tied on fourth and fifth place on the ICC World Test Championship points table, each holding 50% of points (PCT).
