Rawalpindi, October 21, 2025: The second and final Test between Pakistan and South Africa remains finely balanced after half-centuries from Tony de Zorzi and Tristan Stubbs, and a late double strike from debutant Asif Afridi, left the visitors at 185-4 in 65 overs, still trailing by 148 runs at stumps on day two at the Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium on Tuesday.
Resuming their first innings after bowling out Pakistan for 333, South Africa’s openers Ryan Rickelton and Aiden Markram aimed for a solid start. However, Shaheen Shah Afridi drew first blood by removing Rickelton for 14 off 26 balls, leaving the Proteas at 22-1 in the ninth over.
Captain Markram attempted to rebuild, striking boundaries to keep the scoreboard ticking, but fell to Sajid Khan for 32 off 62 balls after adding 32 runs with Tristan Stubbs.
Tony de Zorzi then joined Stubbs to stabilize the innings. The pair grew in confidence through the final session, compiling a 113-run partnership for the third wicket. Both reached fifties — de Zorzi scoring a patient 55 off 93 balls with one four and two sixes, while Stubbs remained fluent throughout.
Pakistan finally broke through when Asif Afridi dismissed de Zorzi, then struck again in his next over to remove Dewald Brevis for a four-ball duck, swinging the momentum back towards the hosts. At stumps, Stubbs was unbeaten on 68, with Kyle Verreynne on 10.
Earlier, Pakistan had posted a competitive total of 333 in their first innings, built around solid contributions from the top and middle order.
Openers Imam-ul-Haq and Abdullah Shafique added 35 before Simon Harmer bowled Imam for 17. Shafique and captain Shan Masood then added 111 for the second wicket. Masood struck two sixes in a confident 87 off 176 deliveries, while Shafique made 57 off 146 balls before falling to Harmer.
Babar Azam (16) and Mohammad Rizwan (19) fell cheaply, but Saud Shakeel anchored the lower order with a composed 66 off 147 balls, supported by Salman Ali Agha (45). The pair added 70 for the sixth wicket before both were dismissed by Keshav Maharaj, who ran through Pakistan’s tail to finish with superb figures of 7 for 102 in 42.4 overs.
Harmer claimed 2 for 67, while Kagiso Rabada took 1 for 64.
South Africa will resume on 185-4 on Wednesday, with Stubbs and Verreynne at the crease, aiming to narrow the deficit and build a first-innings lead.
