Pakistan’s opening woes continue as Azhar, Babar guide their side to tea

Pakistan lost both openers, despite their cautious approach, before tea on day three after the hosts had managed to bundle out the South African side for 201 in their first innings.

The second session ended with Pakistan scoring 42 runs for the loss of two wickets and a lead of 113 runs.

Coming in to bat with a first-innings lead of 71 runs, openers Imran Butt and Abid Ali took an ultra-cautious approach. Fast-bowler Kagiso Rabada however quickly worked over Butt with his pace and trapped the batsman in-front for an LBW off a ball that came in sharply, resulting in a duck for the struggling opener off 13 balls.

Veteran batsman Azhar Ali then joined Abid Ali and the duo preferred survival over a run-scoring approach in the face of a tricky wicket and disciplined South African bowling.

An ill-advised sweep by Abid Ali off-spinner Keshav Maharaj however proved to be his undoing as the ball grazed the openers gloves and was caught by wicketkeeper Quinton de Kock. Ali managed just 13 runs off 53 deliveries.

Azhar Ali and skipper Babar Azam then guided their side to the tea break without any further losses. Azhar remained unbeaten after scoring 22 runs off 51 balls whereas Babar remained unbeaten on 5 runs off 11 deliveries.

Fast-bowler Kagiso Rabada and spinner Keshav Maharaj picked up a wicket each for their side.

Earlier, Pakistan required three wickets to wrap up South Africa’s innings as a defiant Temba Bavuma continued his resistance.

Pacer Hasan Ali however found some reverse swing which was used to devastating effect by the experienced bowler. Keshav Maharaj was bowled by Hasan after scoring just one run off 15 deliveries.

South Africa’s misfortune amplified when a direct hit from fielder Abid Ali found tailender Kagiso Rabada short of the crease for a duck.

Hasan Ali then bowled tailender Anrich Nortje to ensure that batsman Temba Bavuma was stranded without any partners at the other end with an unbeaten knock off 44 runs of 138 deliveries.

Hasan Ali was the standout bowler for his side picking up five wickets at the expense of 54 runs in 15.4 overs while Shaheen Shah, Faheem Ashraf and Nauman Ali picked up a wicket each to reduce South Africa to 201 in their first innings.