Babar Azam’s fifty highlights session two as SA bowlers toil without reward

After the jittery start, Pakistan needed skipper Babar Azam and batsman Fawad Alam to dig their side out of trouble in the post-lunch session. The duo stamped their authority on the match with a flawless partnership that saw their side head to tea in a comparatively more comfortable position after scoring 145 runs for the loss of three wickets in 58 overs.

South Africa were dealt a blow in the first session when all-rounder George Linde went off the field after being hit by a straight drive from Babar Azam. The all-rounder received stitches for the injury and departed to get x-rays for his finger injury.

His injury could reduce the Proteas bowling resources in the second Test while also impacting the batting combination of his side.

The duo of Babar and Fawad however seemed unfazed by the fall of wickets in the first session and build together a solid and unbeaten partnership of 123 runs off 261 deliveries.

Babar, who departed cheaply in both innings during the first Test, appeared at his best playing his trademark shots all around the ground to score an unbeaten 77-run knock off 125 deliveries with 12 fours at a strike rate of 61.60.

Fawad Alam proved more than capable at the other end, soaking up more deliveries than Babar but proving equally effective, after scoring 42 runs off 138 deliveries with 5 fours at a strike rate of 30.43.

The session produced 29 wicket-less overs and 82 runs as tea was called on day one of the first day of the second Test between Pakistan and South Africa at the Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium in Rawalpindi.