Advertisement
Advertisement
RAWALPINDI: Aiden Markram guided South Africa to a convincing eight-wicket victory over Pakistan in the second Test, levelling the two-match series at the Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium on Thursday.
Skipper Aiden Markram and Ryan Rickelton began the 68-run chase aggressively, reaching the 50-run mark in just 10 overs.
Markram led from the front with a solid 42 runs off 45 balls, including eight boundaries, keeping his team within striking distance of victory.
However, Noman Ali dismissed Markram when South Africa needed only four runs to win. In the same over, Noman struck again, removing new batter Tristan Stubbs for a duck.
Despite this, Rickelton ensured South Africa comfortably chased down the target without any further loss. He remained unbeaten on 25 runs off 29 balls, hitting two fours and a six, while Tony de Zorzi did not face a delivery.
Earlier, Simon Harmer claimed a career-best six-wicket haul to help South Africa dismantle Pakistan for just 138 in their second innings.
The devastating spell left the visitors needing only 68 runs to seal victory and draw level in the two-match series.
Pakistan, resuming on 94-4, were banking on former captain Babar Azam to steady the innings.
He looked assured early on, bringing up his 30th Test fifty with trademark elegance. But just as Pakistan began to hope, Harmer struck, removing Babar for exactly 50 off 87 balls, an innings laced with seven boundaries.
From there, it was a familiar story of struggle and surrender. Mohammad Rizwan battled hard for his 18 off 64 but became Harmer’s fifth victim, leaving Pakistan’s middle order exposed once again.
The collapse continued as Noman Ali was trapped for a duck and Shaheen Shah Afridi was run out soon after, reducing the hosts to 105-8.
Salman Ali Agha tried to counter with a brisk 28, but Keshav Maharaj removed him at a crucial stage before cleaning up Sajid Khan (13) to wrap up the innings.
Harmer’s relentless accuracy and variation earned him figures of 6-50 from 20 overs, his best in Test cricket, while Maharaj chipped in with two wickets, and Kagiso Rabada added one to his name.
READ: India adamant on not taking Asia Cup trophy from Mohsin Naqvi
