Post by : Maya Rahman

In a commanding display, South Africa clinched an emphatic eight-wicket victory against Pakistan on the fourth day of the second Test, held in Rawalpindi. The Proteas chased down a modest target of 68 runs before lunch, leveling the two-match series at 1-1. Pakistan, starting the day at 94-4, was bowled out for merely 138, setting up a straightforward target.

Pakistan’s aspirations for a secure lead waned swiftly as they lost six wickets for just 44 runs in the morning session. Despite hopes from the previous night, their batting order faltered under pressure again. The failure to build partnerships was detrimental, resulting in a dismissal in less than an hour.

Simon Harmer emerged as the standout performer for South Africa, achieving spectacular figures of six wickets for 50 runs. His teammate Keshav Maharaj contributed with two more wickets, totaling 17 out of 20 of Pakistan's dismissals across both innings. Harmer recorded his first five-wicket haul in Test cricket, alongside reaching the milestone of 1,000 first-class wickets.

Babar Azam, the captain of Pakistan, resumed on 49, quickly notching his half-century before being dismissed leg before wicket by Harmer. This dismissal triggered a swift collapse in the batting order. Despite showing flashes of brilliance, Babar has now gone 15 Test matches without a century, raising concerns about one of Pakistan's premier talents.

With just 68 runs needed for victory, South Africa chased the target in just 12.3 overs. Captain Aiden Markram was pivotal with his 42 runs before getting out to Noman Ali. Following him, Tristan Stubbs fell soon after, but Ryan Rickelton (25 not out) and Tony de Zorzi brought the team home comfortably, securing a decisive win before lunch.

Post-match, Aiden Markram commended his teammates for their composure and collaborative spirit. “The guys really stood up when needed,” he noted. “It took confidence to rebound after our previous loss in Lahore. Winning in such challenging circumstances is significant for us.”

Shan Masood, the captain of Pakistan, acknowledged the need for improvement in various areas. “We must enhance our lower-order batting and stability throughout our innings,” said Masood. “In the first innings, we could have achieved a substantial total but didn’t capitalize.”

This win represents South Africa’s 11th victory in their last 12 Tests, with their sole loss coming in the first match of this series. Their recent form indicates a resurgence in Test cricket, propelled by disciplined bowling and enhanced batting. Their success in Pakistan further solidifies their status as one of the premier Test teams globally.

Pakistan continues to grapple with batting issues. Despite enjoying home advantage and having seasoned players, their middle and lower order persistently fail to bring stability. This inability to transform good starts into substantial totals remains a critical hurdle as they prepare for forthcoming international series.

As the series concludes in a draw, both teams will focus on their upcoming challenges. South Africa aims to maintain consistency in away games, while Pakistan must address questions surrounding their batting order and strategic direction. The two-match series exhibited competitive cricket, underscoring South Africa’s superior execution under pressure.

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