Rain plays spoilsport on opening day of Rawalpindi Test

Rain played spoilsport on the opening day of the second Test between Pakistan and South Africa as stumps were called early due to a wet outfield at the Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium in Rawalpindi on Thursday.

The game could not begin after the tea break because of the rain before ultimately being called off for the day.

Pakistan however would be the happier of the two sides as the teams head off for the day after scoring 145 runs for the loss of three wickets in 58 overs.

After a jittery start, that saw three wickets fall in quick succession, Pakistan needed skipper Babar Azam and batsman Fawad Alam to dig their side out of trouble.

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. This scoreline proved to be the final tally for the day as well since play could not be resumed after the tea break.

South Africa were dealt a blow when all-rounder George Linde went off the field after being hit by a straight drive from Babar Azam. The all-rounder received stiches 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.

Earlier, Pakistan’s skipper won the toss and elected to bat first. Opener Imran Butt opened his account with a stunning cover drive off fast-bowler Kagiso Rabada which promised a fluent innings. However, in the space of a few deliveries the opener edged a delivery which flew threw a vacant gap at slip as the bowler started to find his stride.

Opener Abid Ali also seemed unsure in the start, being hit on the pads and edging a few as he attempted to leave.

The introduction of Keshav Maharaj in the eighth over brought the first real chance for the Proteas as he coerced an edge from Imran Butt, who had scored 13 runs off 22 balls, which was dropped by fielder Temba Bavuma at first slip.

Maharaj however would not be denied as he persisted with an impeccable line and length which drew another edge from the jittery opener that was safely grasped by wicketkeeper Quinton de Kock as Butt departed after scoring 15 runs off 36 deliveries.

The left-arm spinner then trapped veteran batsman Azhar Ali dead in front for an LBW for a duck to put the Men in Green under pressure.

Abid Ali, who had not looked at ease during his stay at the crease, was then removed after a stunning one-handed catch to the right by fielder Aiden Markram at short leg off the bowling of Anrich Nortje. The opener departed after scoring 6 runs off 43 deliveries as Pakistan sunk to a scoreline of 22 runs for the loss of three wickets before the stable partnership between Babar and Fawad.

The duo of Babar and Fawad 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.

Maharaj was the pick of the Proteas bowlers in the first session, picking up two important wickets because of his impeccable line and length while Nortje picked up a solitary wicket.