Rawalpindi: Pakistan finished the opening day of the second Test against South Africa on a solid 259 for 5 at the Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium. Captain Shan Masood led from the front with a composed 87, anchoring the innings and capitalizing on some generous fielding from the visitors. The Proteas were left to rue a number of dropped catches and missed opportunities that allowed the hosts to build a strong position after winning the toss and electing to bat first.
The tone for South Africa's frustrating day was set early when Abdullah Shafique, on nought, was put down by Tristan Stubbs at third slip off Kagiso Rabada's bowling. The luck continued for Shafique, who was dropped a further three times on his way to a hard-fought 57. He and Masood built a crucial 111-run partnership for the second wicket, laying the foundation for Pakistan's total.
Spinners Simon Harmer and Keshav Maharaj did their best to keep the Proteas in the game on a pitch expected to take more turn as the match progresses. Harmer provided the initial breakthrough by bowling Imam-ul-Haq for 17 and later dismissed Shafique. Maharaj then removed the out-of-form Babar Azam for 16, a key wicket secured by a sharp catch from Tony de Zorzi.
However, the defining moment of the day's missed chances came when Masood, on 71, was dropped by Maharaj off his own bowling. Masood went on to add 16 more runs before finally falling to a Harmer delivery, top-edging a sweep to Marco Jansen.
South Africa's bowlers continued to toil, but it was Rabada who struck with the second new ball, trapping Mohammad Rizwan lbw for 19.
At stumps, Saud Shakeel (42*) and Salman Agha (10*) saw out the day, leaving Pakistan in a commanding position heading into day two. South Africa will need a far more disciplined performance in the field on Tuesday if they hope to restrict the hosts and prevent them from building an insurmountable total.
