Masood’s Marathon Ends in Controversy
Shan Masood’s valiant knock, spanning 368 minutes, came to an end in contentious fashion. Kwena Maphaka, South Africa’s standout bowler of the session, delivered a seaming delivery that kept low and struck Masood’s front pad. Umpire Nitin Menon initially adjudged it missing the stumps, but a successful South African review revealed it to be hitting. Masood’s frustration was evident as he protested the decision, a rare sight in the usually composed batter.
Masood’s dismissal marked the culmination of an excellent post-lunch session for South Africa. Kagiso Rabada, steaming in from the other end, accounted for Saud Shakeel, who edged a drive into the slips. Shakeel’s departure left Pakistan reeling, but Agha and Rizwan steadied the ship.
Agha and Rizwan Lead Resistance
Salman Agha and Mohammad Rizwan batted with determination, blunting the South African attack and reducing the deficit. Their partnership was built on patience, rotating the strike, and punishing the rare loose delivery. Agha, in particular, capitalized on Wiaan Mulder’s wayward line, striking two boundaries in quick succession to inject momentum into Pakistan’s innings.
With the ball losing its shine and the pitch offering inconsistent bounce, South Africa’s bowlers toiled hard. Keshav Maharaj, bowling almost non-stop through the morning session, continued to pose a threat with his variations in flight and pace, though wickets predominantly fell to the pacers.
Morning Session: South Africa Make Early Inroads
The morning began with Marco Jansen dismissing nightwatchman Khurram Shahzad, who chipped a rising delivery to Maharaj at point. Kagiso Rabada then produced a moment of brilliance to clean up Kamran Ghulam, bowling a delivery that nipped back sharply to uproot off and middle stumps.
Rabada’s wicket marked his 50th Test scalp at Newlands, a milestone he celebrated with a triumphant roar. Despite his success, the South African quick had a mixed morning, conceding runs through indiscipline, including four no-balls.
Pakistan’s Saud Shakeel offered resistance alongside Masood, but his stay was marred by near-misses. Maphaka beat him with a beauty that hit the pads, though South Africa opted against a review. Hawk-Eye later showed the delivery would have struck the stumps, a missed opportunity that did not prove too costly as Shakeel fell shortly after lunch.
South Africa in Control but Work Remains
As the match heads toward its final phase, South Africa hold the upper hand but cannot afford complacency. With Rizwan and Agha showing resilience and Pakistan’s tail capable of surprises, the visitors are far from capitulating.
The Proteas will look to wrap up the innings swiftly after tea and avoid a tricky chase on a wearing pitch. For Pakistan, survival remains the primary goal as they battle to force South Africa to bat again.
The drama of Test cricket is alive and well, and all eyes will be on Newlands as the action resumes.