Pakistan skipper Shan Masood in motion towards South Africa, Pakistan vs South Africa, 2nd Check, 1st day, Rawalpindi, October 20, 2025. — AFP
South Africa resisted Pakistan’s momentum to strike twice within the afternoon session of the second Check on Monday on the Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium.
Resuming on 95 for 1 after 30 overs, Shan Masood and Abdullah Shafique saved the scoreboard ticking with a constructive strategy, carrying the hosts previous the 100 mark.
Masood anchored the stand to achieve his thirteenth Check fifty, whereas Shafique, after a sluggish begin within the sequence opener, provided a composed supporting hand.
The pair added 111 runs for the second wicket, placing strain on the South African bowlers. Shafique went on to register his sixth Check fifty as Pakistan reached 146-1 in 50.5 overs.
The breakthrough lastly got here when Harmer dismissed Abdullah for 57 off 146 balls, which included 4 boundaries, ending the necessary partnership.
Babar Azam then joined Masood on the crease and acquired off to a gradual begin, conserving the scoreboard ticking.
Nonetheless, the duo added solely 21 runs for the third wicket earlier than Babar was dismissed for 16 off 22 balls by Keshav Maharaj, leaving Pakistan at 167-3 in 56 overs.
At tea, Pakistan are 177-3 in 62 overs, with Shan Masood unbeaten on 77 off 144 deliveries and Saud Shakeel on six off 25 balls.
Earlier, the hosts started confidently as Imam and Abdullah Shafique added fast runs, discovering boundaries with ease and conserving the scoreboard ticking within the morning session.
The pair regarded set for a stable opening stand earlier than Imam was clear bowled by spinner Simon Harmer for 17 off 35 balls, together with two fours, ending a 35-run partnership within the thirteenth over.
Abdullah Shafique continued to bat positively, mixing aggression with composure to maintain the strain on the Proteas bowlers.
Captain Shan Masood then joined Shafique on the crease and instantly made his presence felt, smashing two towering sixes to alleviate the strain as Pakistan reached 65-1 after 20 overs.
The duo introduced up a 50-run stand within the twenty fifth over, each rising in confidence and eyeing a powerful first-innings complete as lunch approached.
The hosts are main the sequence towards the defending champions 1-0 after securing a 93-run victory within the Lahore Check, led by Noman Ali, who picked up a 10-wicket haul within the match.
Pakistan made one change as 38-year-old Asif Afridi changed pacer Hasan Ali to make his debut for Pakistan, whereas South Africa introduced Marco Jansen and Keshav Maharaj of their enjoying XI.
The three-match T20I sequence will kick off on October 28 and culminate on November 1. The opening recreation will likely be staged in Rawalpindi, whereas the remaining two will likely be performed at Gaddafi Stadium.
The tour will wrap up with a three-match ODI sequence, scheduled from November 4 to eight, with all video games to be held at Iqbal Stadium, Faisalabad.
Enjoying XIs:
Pakistan: Imam-ul-Haq, Abdullah Shafique, Shan Masood (c), Babar Azam, Saud Shakeel, Mohammad Rizwan (wk), Salman Agha, Shaheen Afridi, Noman Ali, Sajid Khan, and Asif Afridi.
South Africa: Aiden Markram (c), Ryan Rickelton (wk), Tristan Stubbs, Tony de Zorzi, Dewald Brevis, Kyle Verreynne, Senuran Muthusamy, Marco Jansen, Simon Harmer, Keshav Maharaj, and Kagiso Rabada.
