Pacers Mohammad Abbas and Khurram Shehzad reignited Pakistan’s hopes for a rare Test victory against South Africa in the opening match at Centurion on Saturday.
Chasing a modest target of 148, the Proteas were in trouble at 27/3 by stumps on a rain-affected day. Abbas (2/3) and Khurram (1/22) dismantled the South African top order, leaving opener Aiden Markram unbeaten on 22 alongside captain Temba Bavuma, who faced just one delivery before play ended.
Earlier, Pakistan managed 237 in their second innings, with Saud Shakeel anchoring the innings with a composed 84. Left-arm pacer Marco Jansen was the star for South Africa, delivering a stunning spell of 6/52 to restrict the visitors.
Pakistan started strongly in the morning session, with Babar Azam and Saud Shakeel adding 79 runs for the fourth wicket. Babar looked in fine touch, reaching a half-century before Jansen struck in his first over, dismissing the Pakistan skipper.
Saud continued to hold the innings together, but Jansen’s relentless bowling accounted for both Mohammad Rizwan and Salman Ali Agha, leaving Pakistan in a precarious position at 176/6.
Aamer Jamal and Saud briefly steadied the innings, taking the total past 200. However, Jamal fell for 18, caught deep off Dane Paterson, while Naseem Shah edged Kagiso Rabada to the slips soon after. Saud’s gritty knock came to an end on 84 when he was trapped lbw by a Jansen full toss, as the left-armer claimed his sixth wicket.
