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LAHORE: Mohammad Rizwan and Salman Ali Agha’s resilient stand led a strong fight back from Pakistan in the final session on day one of the first Test against South Africa here at Gaddafi Stadium on Sunday.
Rizwan and Salman forged an unbroken 114-run stand for the sixth wicket, which helped the home side finish strong at 313-5.
Salman made 52* from 83 balls with the aid of two fours and a six, while Rizwan scored 62 from 107 deliveries, including two fours and two sixes.
The duo came in when Pakistan were in trouble at 199-5 just after the tea. The pair took the responsibility on their shoulders and lifted the team out of the trouble.
Following the tea, Pakistan lost one more wicket in the form of Babar Azam, who was trapped lbw for 23. Before the break, Pakistan were cruising; however, the home side slumped from 199-2 to 199-5.
South Africa left-arm spinner Senuran Muthusamy struck twice in two balls at the stroke of tea to wrest back control after a gritty stand between Shan Masood and Imam-ul-Haq, which drove Pakistan’s innings.
Muthusamy removed well-set Imam-ul-Haq and newcomer Saud Shakeel to lift the Proteas. At tea, Babar Azam remained unbeaten on 23 from 48 balls with the aid of four boundaries.
Saud was caught and bowled for a golden duck as Senuran Muthusamy took an easy catch on his follow-through. Meanwhile, Imam-ul-Haq was caught on the fifth ball of the 56th over.
The left-hander played a composed knock of 93 runs from 153 balls, striking seven fours and a six.
After the opening session, Shan Masood and Imam-ul-Haq added 56 runs to take Pakistan from 107 to 163.
Prenelan Subrayen provided the visitors a much-needed breakthrough, trapping Pakistan skipper for 76 from 147 balls, laced with nine fours and a six.
Earlier, Imam-ul-Haq and skipper Shan Masood steadied Pakistan’s innings with a century stand against South Africa at the stroke of lunch.
Opting to bat first, Pakistan lost their opener, Abdullah Shafique, as Kagiso Rabada trapped him on the third ball of the opening over. He could only score two from three balls.
However, after early wickets, Shan and Imam kept the Protea bowlers at bay and forged a 105* run partnership which steadied their innings.
Imam, who returned to the format after a two-year gap, struck his 10th half-century with the aid of five boundaries, whereas Shan has four boundaries and a six to his name.
For South Africa, Kagiso Rabada remained the sole taker in his seven overs.
Pakistan: Imam-ul-Haq, Abdullah Shafique, Shan Masood (c), Babar Azam, Saud Shakeel, Mohammad Rizwan (wk), Salman Agha, Hasan Ali, Shaheen Afridi, Noman Ali, Sajid Khan.
South Africa: Tony de Zorzi, Ryan Rickelton, Wiaan Mulder, Aiden Markram (c), Tristan Stubbs, Dewald Brevis, Kyle Verreynne (wk), Sen Muthusamy, Prenelan Subrayen, Kagiso Rabada, Simon Harmer.
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