Senuran Muthusamy and Kagiso Rabada produced a breathtaking lower-order revival to seize control for South Africa on the third day of the second Test against Pakistan in Rawalpindi. Their record-breaking partnership transformed the match from a precarious position at 210 for 7 into a commanding first-innings lead of 71 runs, with South Africa posting 404 all out.
By stumps, Pakistan were 94 for 4, still trailing effectively by 23 runs and staring at an uphill battle to avoid defeat after the day’s dramatic shift in momentum.
Muthusamy Anchors, Rabada Explodes
Muthusamy’s composed 89 and Rabada’s blistering 71 off 38 balls — his maiden Test fifty — flipped the contest in spectacular fashion. Together, they added 98 runs for the tenth wicket, building on Muthusamy’s earlier stand of 71 with Keshav Maharaj.
It was an incredible innings from KG. I ended up playing a bit of a supporting role because he was just seeing it so nicely and hitting it so clean. It was a fantastic partnership — one we’ll remember and hopefully one that puts us in a really strong position to win the game.
The pair’s late surge made it only the second time in Test history that both the ninth and tenth wickets had added fifty or more runs — the first instance since Adelaide, 1998.
Asif Afridi’s Dream Debut Fades Amid Onslaught
Earlier, debutant Asif Afridi completed a memorable five-wicket haul — becoming the oldest Pakistani to achieve the feat on debut. He triggered a collapse when South Africa lost three wickets for 22 runs: Tristan Stubbs (76), Simon Harmer, and Kyle Verreynne, reducing the Proteas to 210 for 7.
When Noman Ali trapped Marco Jansen lbw, Pakistan seemed poised to take full control. But Muthusamy and Maharaj steadied the innings before Rabada unleashed a savage counterattack.
Rabada tore into Pakistan’s bowlers with a flurry of boundaries and towering sixes — slogging Sajid Khan and Salman Agha, and twice dispatching Shaheen Shah Afridi to the ropes. His fifty came off a square cut to point before he holed out for 71, giving Asif his sixth wicket and Pakistan brief respite.
Pakistan Crumble Under Pressure
With a 71-run deficit, Pakistan’s reply unravelled quickly. Simon Harmer (2 for 27) and Rabada (1 for 16) struck early to leave the hosts reeling at 16 for 3. Imam-ul-Haq and Shan Masood fell in quick succession to Harmer, while Rabada dismissed Abdullah Shafique for the second time in the series.
Captain Babar Azam (49 not out) provided the only real resistance, batting with authority and precision alongside Saud Shakeel (11) in a 44-run stand. But Shakeel’s edge to slip off Harmer tilted the balance firmly in South Africa’s favour.
At the close, Babar and Mohammad Rizwan (16 not out) were left to salvage Pakistan’s hopes.
Muthusamy Confident of Series-Leveling Win
Reflecting on the day, Muthusamy said the Proteas were well placed to push for victory.
With the way the pitch will wear, it’s going to get tougher to bat. That’s natural. We’re looking forward to the challenge in the last innings of the game.
As Pakistan trail by 23 with six wickets remaining, the World Test Championship holders are poised to press for a series-levelling win on Thursday — a result that would complete one of South Africa’s most spirited fightbacks in recent memory.
