Pakistan team begins preparations for second Test in Cape Town

The Pakistan Test cricket team has arrived in Cape Town from Johannesburg and will commence preparations for the second Test match against South Africa starting on January 3.  

In the first Test, Pakistan suffered a narrow defeat by 2 wickets on the fourth day. South Africa opted to bowl first after winning the toss, restricting Pakistan to 211 runs in their first innings. Kamran Ghulam was the top scorer for Pakistan with 54 runs.  

In response, South Africa posted 301 runs, securing a 90-run lead. In their second innings, Pakistan managed to score 237 runs, with Saud Shakeel leading the effort with a commendable 84 runs. However, South Africa chased the target in a thrilling finish, winning by 2 wickets.  
  
Reflecting on the defeat, Pakistan captain Shan Masood acknowledged the team’s effort but noted the inability to maintain control throughout the match. He highlighted the key performances of Mohammad Abbas and Saud Shakeel, stating that their contributions should have been enough to secure a win.  

Masood emphasized that there are no concerns about the team's overall quality, expressing confidence in their ability to bounce back in the upcoming match.