South Africa tightened their grip on the second and final Test against Pakistan, enforcing the follow-on after bowling out the visitors for a meager 194 in their first innings. With a mammoth total of 615 runs on the board, South Africa’s dominance was evident from the outset, leaving Pakistan in dire straits.
The collapse of Pakistan’s batting unit has drawn criticism, with some pointing fingers at Mohammad Rizwan for playing a reckless shot that opened the floodgates. However, the failure was collective, as the entire batting lineup crumbled under the pressure of spending five grueling sessions in the field.
South Africa capitalized on the psychological toll, maintaining relentless pressure. Barring two brief periods—one before stumps on Day 2 and another in the morning session of Day 3—the hosts dominated proceedings, effectively dismantling Pakistan’s batting order.
Kagiso Rabada spearheaded the attack, claiming three key wickets and setting the tone for the onslaught. Debutant Kwena Maphaka showcased immense potential with two scalps, making an immediate impact in his first Test appearance. Spinner Keshav Maharaj had limited opportunities but played his part in maintaining control alongside his seam partners, who wreaked havoc on a pitch that offered little assistance to the bowlers.
For Pakistan, only skipper Babar Azam and wicketkeeper Mohammad Rizwan provided any semblance of resistance. Babar’s gritty 58 and Rizwan’s valiant 46 were the highlights of an otherwise dismal performance. The pair stitched together a 98-run partnership for the fourth wicket, briefly steadying the innings. However, their dismissals triggered a collapse, with the remaining eight batters collectively managing just 75 runs.
Despite the favorable batting conditions, Pakistan’s inability to apply themselves left them reeling. The batting lineup’s fragility was glaring, as the team succumbed to what seemed like a landslide on a track where South Africa thrived.
As the follow-on looms, Pakistan faces an uphill battle to salvage the Test. With South Africa’s bowlers in top form and the pitch continuing to offer consistent bounce and pace, the visitors must dig deep to avoid a humiliating defeat. The odds, however, appear stacked heavily in favor of the hosts.