CAPE TOWN — South Africa defeated Pakistan in the second Test to claim a 2-0 series victory. Chasing a modest target of 58 runs, the hosts comfortably reached it without losing a wicket in just 8.1 overs. David Bedingham scored an unbeaten 47 off 30 balls, while Aiden Markram contributed 14 runs off 13 deliveries.
On the fourth day of the Test, Pakistan resumed their second innings with captain Shan Masood and nightwatchman Khurram Shehzad at the crease. After reaching 235, Khurram was dismissed for 18 runs. Kamran Ghulam followed shortly, departing for 28 runs.
Shan Masood, standing firm, found support from Saud Shakeel as they built a 51-run partnership for the fourth wicket. However, at 329, Saud was caught off Kagiso Rabada’s delivery, followed by Shan Masood’s marathon innings of 145 runs ending on the same score.
A crucial 88-run stand between Mohammad Rizwan and Salman Ali Agha helped Pakistan erase South Africa’s lead. Rizwan scored 41 before falling to Keshav Maharaj, while Salman added 48 before being dismissed at 441. Amir Jamal and Mir Hamza added 37 runs for the eighth wicket, taking the team’s total to 478.
Pakistan ended their innings with a 57-run lead, as they were bowled out with only nine wickets due to Saim Ayub’s injury. Kagiso Rabada and Keshav Maharaj claimed three wickets each for South Africa, while Marco Jansen picked up two.
South Africa’s Dominance
South Africa’s first innings was a commanding 615, led by Ryan Rickelton’s double century and centuries from Temba Bavuma and Kyle Verreynne. For Pakistan, Mohammad Abbas and Salman Ali Agha took three wickets each, while Mir Hamza and Khurram Shehzad claimed two each.
Pakistan struggled in their first innings, folding for 194 and facing a follow-on. Babar Azam top-scored with 58, while Rizwan managed 46. Kagiso Rabada was the standout bowler with three wickets, supported by Keshav Maharaj and Coetzee Mpohaka, who took two each.
A Series to Forget for Pakistan
Despite a resilient partnership of 205 runs in the second innings between Shan Masood and Babar Azam, who scored 81, Pakistan failed to recover from their first-innings deficit. South Africa’s clinical performance in both batting and bowling departments secured a well-deserved series win, leaving Pakistan with much to ponder.
