Pakistan is on top in Rawalpindi after bowlers dismissed South African top order in reply to their first innings score of 272. Hasan Ali was a bit expensive just like in the first Test but picked up Dean Elgar and Rassie Van Der Dussen on successive deliveries to give the home side advantage.
Faheem Ashraf and Nauman Ali picked up one a piece as South Africa ended the day on 106-4.
Earlier, South Africa were able to restrict Pakistan to 272 on the back of brilliant bowling from speedster Anrich Nortje who took 5 for56. In the morning, he dismissed Pakistan’s captain Babar Azam on the second ball of the day. Throughout the day he bowled with aggression and hit the right lengths. Kagiso Rabada also bowled his heart out but was unlucky to not to get a wicket.
Pakistan had a horrific start to the day as they lost Babar Azam and Fawad Alan early. Alam, the centurion from the last Test got run out courtesy a brilliant effort from Temba Bavuma in the field. He only added 3 runs to his overnight score.
Faheem Ashraf was the star for Pakistan with the bat as he not only absorbed pressure but played great counter-attacking cricket to guide Pakistan to a respectable score.
The left-hander scored 78 runs with 12 boundaries. He not only played spin well but also coped with pace bowling quite admirably.
Ashraf and Muhammad Rizwan added 41 runs for the sixth wicket before Nortje struck with the new ball as Rizwan miscued a hook shot. Hasan Ali, Yasir Shah and Nauman all stayed on the wicket for good periods to give support to Faheem Ashraf who remained not out on in the end.
South Africa will be looking towards their captain Quinton De Kock to lead the recovery on day 3. The wicket-keeper batsmen is looking set on 24 of just 11 balls and hit five boundaries just before the close of play.
