LAHORE: Tony de Zorzi led South Africa’s resistance while Noman Ali took four wickets, putting Pakistan in a strong position at stumps on the second day of the first Test at Gaddafi Stadium on Monday.
South Africa were 216-6 at the close of the play, with Tony de Zorzi remaining unbeaten on 81 from 140 balls while Senuran Muthusamy is not out on six from 19 deliveries.
The highlight of the session was a 94-run partnership between De Zorzi and Riyan Rickelton. Both batters struck half-centuries and brought the team’s total to 174.
The stand eventually culminated with the set of Rickelton’s wicket, courtesy of Agha Salman’s bowling. He made 71 from 137 with the help of nine fours and two sixes.
The wicket opened the door for Pakistan as Noman and Sajid sliced through the Proteas’ middle-order and put them in a similar position to Pakistan. The visitors went from 175-3 to 200-6 in a span of 10 overs.
Tristan Stubbs was caught behind for eight while Dewald Brevis fell for a golden duck. Kyle Verreynne could not trouble the scorers much as he made six from 19.
For Pakistan, Nomal Ali starred with the ball, picking up four wickets in his 27 overs.
South Africa were 10 without loss at lunch and batted steadily in the afternoon session.
Aiden Markram, who earlier crossed the 3,000-run milestone, was the first to fall after the interval, dismissed by Noman Ali for 20 off 37 balls with the score at 45-1.
Wiaan Mulder then joined Ryan Rickelton and the pair stitched together a cautious stand to stabilise the innings.
Rickelton continued to find the gaps while Mulder played some crisp drives before Noman struck again, removing the right-hander for 17 off 41 deliveries, including three boundaries.
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Tony de Zorzi then arrived at the crease and rode his luck early, edging a couple of deliveries past the slips for boundaries.
His presence, however, proved valuable as he and Rickelton guided South Africa to 112-2 at Tea in 34 overs, trailing Pakistan by 266 runs.
Earlier, Senuran Muthusamy produced a brilliant spell of spin bowling to claim six wickets and help South Africa bowl out Pakistan for 378 in the first session.
Resuming their innings at 313 for five, Pakistan looked set for a big total as Salman Ali Agha and Mohammad Rizwan picked up where they left off, extending their sixth-wicket stand beyond 150, the highest for Pakistan against South Africa at home.
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Both batters appeared in full control before Muthusamy turned the tide. He first broke the partnership by dismissing Rizwan for a hard-fought 75 off 140 deliveries, which included two fours and two sixes.
The left-arm spinner struck again almost immediately, removing Noman Ali and Sajid Khan for ducks to complete a well-deserved five-for.
Senuran Muthusamy continued to wreak havoc, bowling Shaheen Afridi for seven to register his sixth wicket, leaving Pakistan nine down.
The innings finally ended at 378 when off-spinner Prenelan Subrayen dismissed Salman Ali Agha for a composed 93 off 145 balls, an innings decorated with five fours and three sixes.
Muthusamy finished with superb figures of 6-117 in 32 overs, while Subrayen chipped in with two wickets. Kagiso Rabada and Simon Harmer claimed one apiece.
