Pakistan struggles as South Africa commands day two of second Test

South Africa took firm control on Day Two of the second Test against Pakistan in Cape Town, leaving the visitors facing an uphill battle after a dominant performance with both bat and ball. 

After posting a mammoth 615 runs, propelled by a stunning double century from Ryan Rickelton and a century from Kyle Verreynne, the hosts ripped through Pakistan’s top order in the second innings. Kagiso Rabada and Marco Jansen delivered devastating spells of fast bowling to leave Pakistan reeling at 64 for 3, trailing by a daunting 551 runs. South Africa are now just six wickets away from forcing Pakistan to bat again.

South Africa's morning session saw them build on their overnight score, with Rickelton, who began the day unbeaten on 176, reaching his double century. The first South African in eight years to achieve such a feat, Rickelton displayed excellent discipline, punishing anything off-target and keeping Pakistan at bay. Verreynne played aggressively, particularly with some audacious shots off the spinners. His reverse sweeps and hooks set the tone for an entertaining session, where he eventually reached his fourth Test century. 

The afternoon session saw South Africa continue their dominance, adding 137 runs and finishing on 566 for 7 at tea. Jansen, who had struggled with the bat for much of 2024, launched a stunning attack, scoring a whirlwind half-century off just 42 balls. With eight fours and three sixes, Jansen turned the game on its head and contributed to a huge partnership with Rickelton. 

Pakistan finally removed Rickelton, who had reached 259 before tea, when he top-edged a delivery from Mir Hamza, caught by Mohammad Abbas at long-on. Despite this breakthrough, the momentum remained firmly with South Africa. Verreynne had been dismissed earlier for 100, after attempting a slog sweep off Salman Ali Agha, but the damage was done.

Pakistan's bowlers struggled to contain South Africa's free-flowing batsmen. Jansen's rapid-fire runs left the tourists with no answers, and when he and Rickelton took sixes off Salman, the score piled up quickly. With no scoreboard pressure, the South African batsmen continued to score freely, marking a memorable day for the hosts.

As the second session drew to a close, Pakistan’s response was almost as dismal as their bowling efforts. Rabada’s new-ball burst struck early, removing Shan Masood and Saud Shakeel in quick succession. Both were undone by deliveries that found their outside edges, with David Bedingham taking two sharp catches in the slips.

Kamran Ghulam, the second wicket to fall, was dismissed by Jansen, who forced him into an awkward shot that saw his stumps shattered. The visitors were already on the back foot, but Babar Azam, stepping in as opener in place of the injured Saim Ayub, and Mohammad Rizwan managed to halt the carnage temporarily, fighting through until the close of play.

South Africa’s bowlers, Rabada and Jansen in particular, were relentless, leaving Pakistan's batters under immense pressure. The tourists’ hopes now rest on Babar Azam and Rizwan to delay the inevitable for as long as possible on Day Three.

Teams:

Pakistan Playing XI: Shan Masood (c), Saim Ayub, Babar Azam, Kamran Ghulam, Mohammad Rizwan (wk), Saud Shakeel, Salman Ali Agha, Aamir Jamal, Mir Hamza, Khurram Shahzad, Mohammad Abbas

South Africa Playing XI: Aiden Markram, Wiaan Mulder, Ryan Rickelton, Tristan Stubbs, Temba Bavuma (c), David Bedingham, Kyle Verreynne (wk), Marco Jansen, Keshav Maharaj, Kagiso Rabada, Kwena Maphaka