Cape Town, January 6, 2025: South Africa secured a comprehensive series victory, completing a clean sweep in the two-match Test series against Pakistan. The Proteas chased down a modest target of 58 runs without losing a wicket on the fourth day of the second Test at Cape Town.
Earlier, Pakistan was bowled out for 478 runs in their second innings, setting South Africa a 58-run target. Resuming their innings on day four with captain Shan Masood and nightwatchman Khurram Shehzad at the crease, Pakistan reached 235 before Khurram was dismissed for 18.
Pakistan’s third wicket fell when Kamran Ghulam was dismissed after scoring 28. Captain Shan Masood, who anchored the innings, found support from Saud Shakeel. The pair added 51 runs for the fourth wicket before Shakeel was caught off Kagiso Rabada’s delivery at 329.
On the same score, Shan Masood’s impressive knock ended as he was dismissed for a magnificent 145 runs.
A crucial 88-run partnership for the sixth wicket between Mohammad Rizwan and Salman Ali Agha helped Pakistan erase South Africa’s hefty lead. Rizwan was caught off Keshav Maharaj for 41, while Salman contributed 48 before being dismissed at 441.
Aamir Jamal and Mir Hamza added 37 runs for the eighth wicket, lifting the total to 478. Both were dismissed in quick succession, and with Saeem Ayub unavailable due to injury, Pakistan was all out with a slim 57-run lead.
For South Africa, Kagiso Rabada and Keshav Maharaj took three wickets each, Marco Jansen picked up two, while Coen de Maphoka claimed one.
In Pakistan’s second innings, after trailing by 451 runs, openers Shan Masood and Babar Azam gave a solid start, sharing a 205-run stand. Babar was dismissed for 81 by Marco Jansen.
On day three, Pakistan had been bowled out for just 194 in their first innings, following on after South Africa’s massive total of 615. Babar Azam scored 58, while Mohammad Rizwan added 46 in the first innings.
South Africa’s first-innings dominance was led by Ryan Rickelton, who scored a double century, while Temba Bavuma and Kyle Verreynne notched centuries. For Pakistan, Mohammad Abbas and Salman Ali Agha took three wickets each, while Mir Hamza and Khurram Shehzad claimed two apiece.
South Africa had also edged out Pakistan in a thrilling first Test last week, winning by two wickets. This series sweep marks a dominant performance by the Proteas, highlighting their form on home soil.
