Rawalpindi Test: 38-year-old debutant keeps hosts in the game after Keshav Maharaj’s seven-fer floors Pakistan | Cricket News
In a remarkable Test cricket display on Tuesday, 38-year-old debutant spinner Asif Afridi claimed two crucial late wickets against South Africa, who finished Day 2 at 185-4 in Rawalpindi, Pakistan. The Proteas trail Pakistan by 148 runs after Pakistan was dismissed for 333, with South African spinner Keshav Maharaj taking 7-102 on an abrasive wicket.Tristan Stubbs remained unbeaten on 68 off 184 balls, showcasing exceptional patience against Pakistan’s spin attack. He formed a vital 113-run partnership with Tony de Zorzi, who scored 55 before falling to Afridi.Afridi’s debut proved memorable as he first trapped de Zorzi leg before wicket, successfully overturning the on-field decision through a television review. He then quickly dismissed Dewald Brevis for a duck, with Salman Ali Agha taking a smart catch off the shoulder of the bat.The day began with Pakistan at 259-5, as Saud Shakeel and Agha extended their sixth-wicket partnership to 70 runs. Shakeel completed his half-century off 118 balls, pushing Maharaj to square leg for two runs.Maharaj, who missed the first Test due to a groin injury, dominated the morning session by taking the last five Pakistan wickets for just 15 runs. South Africa’s fielding improved significantly from Day 1, with the team holding onto all their chances.Earlier in the South African innings, Shaheen Shah Afridi delivered an impressive opening spell, dismissing Ryan Rickelton for 14. Captain Aiden Markram scored 32 before being caught at long-on off Sajid Khan’s bowling.Pakistan missed opportunities to dismiss both de Zorzi and Stubbs earlier in their innings. They failed to review a potential lbw decision against de Zorzi when he was on 5, while Khan couldn’t hold onto a return catch from Stubbs.De Zorzi, following his century in the first Test, played more aggressively than his partner, reaching his fifty off 86 balls. Stubbs marked his half-century in style by hitting Khan for a straight six.The morning session saw Marco Jansen and Kagiso Rabada bowling tight lines, though they couldn’t breakthrough before Maharaj’s intervention. Maharaj’s crucial spell included the dismissal of Agha, who missed a straight delivery that hit his shin.Maharaj continued his outstanding performance by finding the outside edge of Shakeel’s bat, with Markram making amends for his previous day’s drop by taking the catch. Shaheen Shah Afridi, recently appointed as Pakistan’s ODI captain, was bowled by Maharaj without scoring.
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The South African bowling figures showed Maharaj’s dominance with 7-102, while Simon Harmer took 2-75 and Rabada finished with 1-60. At stumps, wicketkeeper-batter Kyle Verreynne remained not out on 10 alongside Stubbs.The match remains delicately poised with South Africa still trailing by 148 runs on a pitch that continues to favor spin bowling. The visitors will look to their remaining batsmen to close the gap on Day 3, while Pakistan’s spinners will aim to build on their late Day 2 success.
