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Proteas Batter Survives Dropped Catches to Keep Second Test Alive
22 Oct
Summary
- Debutant spinner Asif Afridi claims 5-wicket haul for Pakistan
- Proteas' Senuran Muthusamy and Keshav Maharaj forge crucial partnership
- Pakistan drops multiple catches, allowing Proteas to inch closer to parity
The third day of the second Test between South Africa and Pakistan in Rawalpindi saw a shift in momentum as the Proteas fought back to keep themselves in the game.
Thirty-eight-year-old debutant Asif Afridi had earlier picked up three early wickets to claim his maiden Test five-for, undoing the Proteas' hard work from the previous day. However, the visitors' luck started to change as the hosts dropped several catches, allowing the Proteas to inch closer to parity.
Allrounder Senuran Muthusamy (48* at lunch) showed great defiance, utilizing his compact technique to keep out both the spin and pace threat. Meanwhile, Keshav Maharaj swatted the spinners down the ground for a couple of boundaries, unsettling the Pakistan bowlers and forcing them to drop him on a couple of occasions.
The Proteas' resilience was on full display as they managed to bring up an invaluable 50-run partnership just before the lunch break, trailing Pakistan's first-innings total of 333 by only 48 runs. The visitors will be hoping to continue their fightback in the second session and potentially take the lead in the second Test.
