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RAWALPINDI: Pakistan captain Babar Azam and Fawad Alam rescued the hosts from early trouble with an unbeaten century stand before rain washed out the final session on the first day of the second Test against South Africa.
After a jittery start, that saw three wickets fall in quick succession, Pakistan needed skipper Babar Azam and batsman Fawad Alam to dig their side out of trouble.
Currently, Babar is unbeaten on 77, has so far added 123 runs for the fourth wicket with Fawad (42 unbeaten) to frustrate the tourists. Pakistan was 145 for three at the end of play on the opening day.
South Africa was dealt a blow when all-rounder George Linde went off the field after being hit by a straight drive from Babar Azam. The all-rounder received stiches for the injury and departed to get x-rays for his finger injury.
His injury could reduce the Proteas bowling resources in the second Test while also impacting the batting combination of his side. Earlier, Pakistan’s skipper won the toss and elected to bat first.
South Africa had made inroads into the Pakistan top order when they reduced the home team to 22 for three, with left-arm spinner Keshav Maharaj (2-51) striking early with the new ball.
He had opener Imran Butt (15) caught by wicketkeeper Quinton de Kock when the batsman tried to steer a delivery to the third man, before trapping the dangerous Azhar Ali leg before wicket for a duck.
Seamer Anrich Nortje picked up the third wicket as Aiden Markram took a superb one-handed diving catch at short leg to dismiss Abid Ali (6).