2nd Test: Shan Masood fires ton as Pakistan fight back after South Africa enforce follow-on. – Newz9

NEW DELHI: Shan Masood and Babar Azam constructed a report opening partnership after conceding a 421-run first innings deficit as Pakistan fought back on day three of the second Test at Newlands.
At the shut of play, Pakistan have been 213 for one of their observe-on innings. The guests nonetheless want 208 runs to place South African to bat once more.
Pakistan captain Masood remained unbeaten on 102, his sixth Test century. Babar contributed 81 runs, his third consecutive half-century of the collection.
Babar’s final worldwide century got here in August 2023. He missed out once more on Sunday, caught within the gully off Marco Jansen’s bowling shortly earlier than stumps.
The Masood-Babar partnership of 205 runs was Pakistan’s highest opening stand in opposition to South Africa in Tests. It additionally surpassed Pakistan’s first innings whole of 194, which prompted the observe-on from South African captain Temba Bavuma.
This was Babar’s second notable partnership of the day.
He opened the batting for Pakistan after Saim Ayub’s harm. Ayub fractured his proper ankle and was dominated out of the match.
Babar scored 58 within the first innings. He and Mohammad Rizwan (46) added 98 runs for the fourth wicket. Babar’s dismissal triggered a Pakistan collapse.
Babar and Rizwan, resuming at 64 for 3 in a single day, batted comfortably by way of the primary hour. They successfully neutralized the risk posed by South Africa’s major strike bowlers, Kagiso Rabada and Jansen.
Debutant Kwena Maphaka, 18, broke the partnership 5 balls after the morning drinks break. Babar glanced a unfastened supply down the leg facet and was caught behind by Kyle Verreynne.
Babar appeared surprised by his dismissal after a stable 127-ball innings.
Five overs later, Rizwan charged down the pitch to Wiaan Mulder and edged a wild slog onto his stumps.
The remaining Pakistani batsmen provided little resistance.
Masood and Babar demonstrated within the second innings that the pitch, the place South Africa amassed 615 runs, provided no vital challenges.
Their optimistic stroke play, mixed with fast working between the wickets, saved the scoreboard ticking. They not often appeared troubled.
South Africa’s frustration was evident when Mulder threw the ball at Babar, then on 56, after a firmly struck shot back in direction of the bowler.
The incident sparked an change of phrases involving wicketkeeper Verreynne and required intervention from the umpires.
Masood, a left-hander, reached his century off 159 balls, hitting 14 fours within the course of.