Centurion: Marko Janssen’s Pakistan made a comeback against South Africa as their pacers dismissed three consecutive Proteas batsmen before stumps on day three of the first Test at SuperSports Park, Centurion on Saturday.
The fiery duo of Mohammad Abbas and Khurram Shahzad scored early in the first half and put the home team under immense pressure. The former removed opener Tony De Zori, and the latter sent off his replacement Ryan Rickleton.
Abbas struck again and kept Tristan Stubbs off the field throughout while dangerous man Aiden Markram remained on the ground and was joined by skipper Temba Bavuma.
South Africa finished the day 27-3 with Markram scoring 22 off 25 balls and Bavuma still not scoring a run. The Proteas require 121 runs to win.
Early in Pakistan’s second innings, Janssen scored a six-wicket haul as he wreaked havoc on the Pakistani batsmen and dismissed them in quick successions after the visitors resumed play with 88 for three, with star batsmen Babar Azam and Saud Shakeel on 16 and eight respectively.
The duo quickly scored two runs and erased South Africa’s 90-run lead. Babar surpassed the 50-point mark, while Saud stood with 36 points.
The duo, after just 14 overs, gave Pakistan a 62-run lead. But the joy was short-lived when Marko Janssen struck again and dismissed star batsman Babar, registering his third wicket of the innings and putting Pakistan in more danger.
Babar’s wicket opened a flurry of wickets as Mohammad Rizwan, Salman Ali Agha and Aamer Jamal all returned to the pavilion after scoring meager runs leaving Pakistan at 208-7 with Saud’s steady flow.
Saud’s consistency remained constant despite Janssen’s attack. The batter was on 66 when the tea break was called. Within five overs, he was closing in on the ton, but that dream was short-lived as he struck the Proteas machine once again.
Saud was dismissed after scoring a brilliant 84 runs off just 113 deliveries, with Pakistan leading by just 146 runs and with a wicket in hand.
Earlier on the second day, Pakistan’s top-order side struggled, losing three wickets early.
Left-handed batsman Saim Ayoub was sent back to the pavilion for 27 after a promising start, falling to Kagiso Rabada on 49.
He was followed by skipper Shan Masood, who scored 28 before Tristan Stubbs was caught when Jansen delivered the third ball of the 16th over.
Kamran Ghulam, who smashed 54 runs in the first innings, was dismissed for four runs in the second over after Jansen struck again, leaving Pakistan reeling at 74/3.
The Proteas took advantage of the first innings by posting 301 runs in reply to Pakistan’s total of 211, securing a 90-run lead.
Reflecting on the conditions, Aiden Markram said it was a typical Centurion pitch, offering assistance to the fast bowlers.
“While I was batting, I felt that at any time the ball could go beyond you,” he said.
Markram warned that South Africa would need to run well to maintain their advantage on Saturday.
Pakistan playing XI
Shan Masood (captain), Saim Ayub, Babar Azam, Kamran Ghulam, Muhammad Rizwan, Saud Shakeel, Salman Ali Agha, Aamir Jamal, Naseem Shah, Khurram Shehzad and Muhammad Abbas.
South Africa playing XI
Tony De Zorzi, Aiden Markram, Ryan Rickleton, Tristan Stubbs, Themba Bavuma (captain), David Bedingham, Kyle Vereen, Marko Janssen, Kagiso Rabada, Dane Patterson, and Corbin Bush.