0
4
0
1
0
0
= 5
Match Details
PAK vs SA, 2nd TEST, WTC 2025-27 live
SA 404(119.3)
73-2(12.3)
South Africa won by 8 wickets 🏆
333(113.4)
PAK
(49.3)138-10
+
P'ship : 8(3)
Commentary
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Highlights
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6s
4s
Inn 1
Inn 2
Inn 3
Inn 4
Milestone
Both South Africa and Pakistan made their debut in the ongoing WTC 2025-27 cycle in this series and both have a win each! Pakistan though will be disappointed as they easily could have had two wins to their name.
Though, as the cricket moves on, they don't have time to mourn on this loss and have to look ahead to the white ball leg of the tour and make amends in that part of the series! The positive thought for them would be that their star Babar Azam looked extremely confident and a big knock is certainly round the corner.
For South Africa, they have shown why they are World Champions and their merry run in the whites continues. They applied themselves superbly and now will shift their focus to colored clothing.
Though, as the cricket moves on, they don't have time to mourn on this loss and have to look ahead to the white ball leg of the tour and make amends in that part of the series! The positive thought for them would be that their star Babar Azam looked extremely confident and a big knock is certainly round the corner.
For South Africa, they have shown why they are World Champions and their merry run in the whites continues. They applied themselves superbly and now will shift their focus to colored clothing.
That is it then from the Test series between Pakistan and South Africa. I, Manan Mehta would like to sign off on behalf of my co-commentator Deepak Prakash and the scorer/analyst for today Rajesh Pal. SEE YAAA!!!
Most Wickets by Spinners in a Test Match in Rawalpindi:
29 - England vs Pakistan, 2024
28 - South Africa vs Pakistan, 2025 (This Test)
16 - Australia vs Pakistan, 1998
16 - England vs Pakistan, 2022
29 - England vs Pakistan, 2024
28 - South Africa vs Pakistan, 2025 (This Test)
16 - Australia vs Pakistan, 1998
16 - England vs Pakistan, 2022
Aiden Markram (South Africa Captain): "Excellent response after the first Test. We were under pressure in this Test as well, but the guys showed great courage and confidence. Everyone contributing is a great feeling for a team.
We still need to improve in these conditions but guys chipping in makes a lot of difference and we are looking to be more successful. The unit in these conditions that we have here is with one of the best in the world.
Normally when we talk about South Africa, we talk about fast bowling, but this series has proved differently. Kagiso is a great bat, and I loved his contribution in the first innings with the bat. He missed his 100 but will get one soon. People don't talk about Rabada the batter but one must.
There is a lot to learn in this series and once we go to India, we will take a lot of learnings from there as well and hopefully perform well."
We still need to improve in these conditions but guys chipping in makes a lot of difference and we are looking to be more successful. The unit in these conditions that we have here is with one of the best in the world.
Normally when we talk about South Africa, we talk about fast bowling, but this series has proved differently. Kagiso is a great bat, and I loved his contribution in the first innings with the bat. He missed his 100 but will get one soon. People don't talk about Rabada the batter but one must.
There is a lot to learn in this series and once we go to India, we will take a lot of learnings from there as well and hopefully perform well."
Shan Masood (Pakistan Captain): "Hindsight is always there, but credit must go to the opposition — they kept fighting till the end. If someone had told us after the first two days that we’d be in this position, we would have taken it.
Unfortunately, we couldn’t finish well with the ball, and that last-wicket stand really hurt us. We’re not shying away from that. Ultimately, it all comes down to the first two innings in these conditions. We were 98 runs ahead with just two wickets to take, but we let the game slip during a costly 30-minute phase where we missed our chances.
Still, with 4 wins out of 6 on these kinds of wickets, that’s not a bad record — especially considering how close we came in the two losses. As a team, you’re never perfect, but 4 out of 6 is definitely something to build on."
Unfortunately, we couldn’t finish well with the ball, and that last-wicket stand really hurt us. We’re not shying away from that. Ultimately, it all comes down to the first two innings in these conditions. We were 98 runs ahead with just two wickets to take, but we let the game slip during a costly 30-minute phase where we missed our chances.
Still, with 4 wins out of 6 on these kinds of wickets, that’s not a bad record — especially considering how close we came in the two losses. As a team, you’re never perfect, but 4 out of 6 is definitely something to build on."
Senuran Muthusamy (POTS): "Trying to do well in every opportunity I get and just trying to win the match. This match means a lot because we won. The first Test was good and I got some spells under the belt. Got some wickets so yeah that was good.
I come from Durban and those are good wickets for spin so it helps in the way I approached my batting this series. Keshav and Harmer bowled well so I wasn't really needed. I am happy I could contribute with the bat.
Initially I looked to farm the strike but then once he got in the zone and started scoring boundaries we just looked to score runs whenever possible."
I come from Durban and those are good wickets for spin so it helps in the way I approached my batting this series. Keshav and Harmer bowled well so I wasn't really needed. I am happy I could contribute with the bat.
Initially I looked to farm the strike but then once he got in the zone and started scoring boundaries we just looked to score runs whenever possible."
Player of the Series: Senuran Muthusamy
Keshav Maharaj (POTM): "Yeah, I just tried to rely on my natural flight, and the wicket didn’t really deteriorate much from the first innings. I focused on being as consistent as possible and had great support from my teammates at the other end. It was all about controlling the run rate and sticking to old-fashioned Test cricket, where partnerships make the difference.
Yeah, very much so. I think even someone like Sen (Muthusamy) — he’s still new to international cricket but has played plenty of first-class cricket. It’s a great opportunity for us to step up whenever chances come our way. There’s a wealth of knowledge in the dressing room, not just among the bowlers but also the batters. It’s nice to have that kind of tactical awareness on the field, which you don’t always get to see.
I sat down with someone very dear to me before coming here — his name is Prasanna. He helped me identify ways to adapt and handle the conditions better, and I tried to apply that out in the middle. But I think the main supporting role was from Sen — he was batting beautifully at the other end. We decided to take the bull by the horns and put the pressure back on, and thankfully, it paid off in the end."
Yeah, very much so. I think even someone like Sen (Muthusamy) — he’s still new to international cricket but has played plenty of first-class cricket. It’s a great opportunity for us to step up whenever chances come our way. There’s a wealth of knowledge in the dressing room, not just among the bowlers but also the batters. It’s nice to have that kind of tactical awareness on the field, which you don’t always get to see.
I sat down with someone very dear to me before coming here — his name is Prasanna. He helped me identify ways to adapt and handle the conditions better, and I tried to apply that out in the middle. But I think the main supporting role was from Sen — he was batting beautifully at the other end. We decided to take the bull by the horns and put the pressure back on, and thankfully, it paid off in the end."
Player of the Match: Keshav Maharaj
Time for the Post Match Presentations!
12:40 PM IST and 12:10 PM Local Time: Pakistan would be absolutely baffled on how they have lost this Test match. They never should have made a mess of this Test match! Dominated for the first two and half days and then the next one day just takes the match away from them completely!
After winning the toss, Pakistan was already in a good position as the pitch was going to become difficult as the game progressed. Their batters made merry and Captain Shan Masood led from the front scoring a brilliant 87. Contributions from Abdullah Shafique (57) and Saud Shakeel (66) took Pakistan to a really good first innings score of 333.
Their bowlers responded in fine fashion and debutant Asif Afridi was the star of the show. He picked up 6 wickets on debut and was the best Pakistani bowler in that first innings. South Africa was playing well at 185/4. Tristan Stubbs (76) and Tony de Zorzi (55) were the key architects.
However, Asif Afridi triggered a collapse and put them in a spot of bother at 235/8. Pakistan who was staring at an 80+ first innings lead all of a sudden lost all rhythm. Resistance from Senuran Muthusamy and a brilliant counterattack from Kagiso Rabada took South Africa past Pakistan's score and they eventually ended at 404 with a lead of 71 runs. Muthusamy was brilliant with his 89* and Rabada scored a breathtaking 71.
Pakistan jolted by them conceding the lead were rocked early and reduced to 16/3. Babar Azam led a beautiful counterattack and was not out overnight with Mohammad Rizwan. Babar got to his 50 in the first over but also fell on that score in that very over causing a big dent to Pakistan's chances! Rizwan followed and the tail absolutely collapsed. From 94/4 overnight Pakistan perished to 138 all out, gaining a lead of just 67! South Africa needed just 68 runs!
It was only a matter of time before they got the runs! Markram and Ryan Rickelton attacked the Pakistani spinners and knocked down 64 runs without the loss of a wicket. Pakistan did get two wickets in quick succession, but it was too late as South Africa was just one hit away. Rickelton smashed Sajid Khan over his head and got the victory for his side! The series is drawn at 1-1! Wish there was a third Test!
After winning the toss, Pakistan was already in a good position as the pitch was going to become difficult as the game progressed. Their batters made merry and Captain Shan Masood led from the front scoring a brilliant 87. Contributions from Abdullah Shafique (57) and Saud Shakeel (66) took Pakistan to a really good first innings score of 333.
Their bowlers responded in fine fashion and debutant Asif Afridi was the star of the show. He picked up 6 wickets on debut and was the best Pakistani bowler in that first innings. South Africa was playing well at 185/4. Tristan Stubbs (76) and Tony de Zorzi (55) were the key architects.
However, Asif Afridi triggered a collapse and put them in a spot of bother at 235/8. Pakistan who was staring at an 80+ first innings lead all of a sudden lost all rhythm. Resistance from Senuran Muthusamy and a brilliant counterattack from Kagiso Rabada took South Africa past Pakistan's score and they eventually ended at 404 with a lead of 71 runs. Muthusamy was brilliant with his 89* and Rabada scored a breathtaking 71.
Pakistan jolted by them conceding the lead were rocked early and reduced to 16/3. Babar Azam led a beautiful counterattack and was not out overnight with Mohammad Rizwan. Babar got to his 50 in the first over but also fell on that score in that very over causing a big dent to Pakistan's chances! Rizwan followed and the tail absolutely collapsed. From 94/4 overnight Pakistan perished to 138 all out, gaining a lead of just 67! South Africa needed just 68 runs!
It was only a matter of time before they got the runs! Markram and Ryan Rickelton attacked the Pakistani spinners and knocked down 64 runs without the loss of a wicket. Pakistan did get two wickets in quick succession, but it was too late as South Africa was just one hit away. Rickelton smashed Sajid Khan over his head and got the victory for his side! The series is drawn at 1-1! Wish there was a third Test!
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