Faheem Ashraf’s fifty keeps Pakistan afloat

Faheem Ashraf’s unbeaten 54-run knock kept Pakistan afloat, as the teams headed for lunch, after Anrich Nortje picked crucial wickets in the first session on day two to pile on the pressure on the hosts.

South Africa got an ideal start on day two as Pakistan captain Babar Azam failed to add anything to his overnight score of 77. Babar was caught at slip by Faf du Plessis on the second ball of the day as he tried to cut a length ball outside off from Anrich Nortje.

Nortje and Maharaj kept things tight for Pakistan batsmen after Babar’s dismissal. Fawad Alam tried to release the pressure by pinching a quick single. However, Bavuma was lightning quick to get to the ball and release it in one move to run out Fawad. The left-hander’s dive couldn’t save him as he departed for 45.

With two new batsmen at the crease, Mohammad Rizwan and Faheem Ashraf, South Africa continued to put the pressure with disciplined bowling. While Rizwan was a little circumspect early on, Faheem started from where he left off in Karachi, as he played his shots from the get go.

South Africa took the new ball straight after Rizwan hit Nortje for a four with a straight drive on the second ball of the 80th over. Nortje got his revenge in the next over as Rizwan tried to pull a short ball, but was caught at deep by Kagiso Rabada. The wicketkeeper-batsman departed for 18, leaving the Men in Green 190-6.

Pakistan needed another fighting knock from Faheem and the all-rounder responded with a gritty fifty, taking on the short ball barrage and playing pull shots to perfection against South African pacers.

After Maharaj dismissed Hassan Ali for eight just 10 minutes before lunch, Faheem raced to his fifty taking Pakistan to 229-7 at the break.