PAK vs SA Highlights, 1st Test Match Day 2: South Africa 216/6 at stumps, trail by 162 runs against Pakistan

Shaheen Afridi to Tony de Zorzi, CLOSE! Shaheen Afridi has his hand on his face. This is on a length, swings in and it keeps on coming with the angle. Tony de Zorzi makes a brave leave, the ball rolls just over the off pole.

Shaheen Afridi to Tony de Zorzi, Short in length and outside off, Tony de Zorzi shoulders arms to it.

All set for action on Day 4. The Pakistani players are out in the middle. Tony de Zorzi and Ryan Rickelton to resume their innings. Shaheen Afridi to bowl for the first time in this innings. 

PITCH REPORT - Ramiz Raja is pitchside. He says that the pitch wasn't great even on Day 1, and now the cracks have made it more challenging. He adds that the spinners will be getting turn, bounce, and variation, making it a guessing game. Raja ends by saying that the batters should play off the back foot, as the pitch lacks pace.

All the drama and tension of Test cricket are perfectly poised for today. With a full day's play ahead and a result certain, every ball, every run, and every wicket will be fiercely contested.  Which side will come out on top? We shall find out soon...

As we begin the penultimate day, the equation is simple, South Africa needs 226 runs to win with 8 wickets in hand, while Pakistan requires those 8 wickets to seal a victory. The pitch has offered plenty of assistance to the spinners throughout, and the morning session will be absolutely crucial. If De Zorzi and Rickelton can weather the early storm, the pressure will begin to mount on the bowling side.

The Proteas' run chase got off to a rocky start, however, with left-arm spinner Nauman Ali striking twice to remove Aiden Markram and Wiaan Mulder cheaply. This left the visitors in a precarious position at 18/2. Yet, the resilience shown by Tony de Zorzi, who anchored the innings with a defiant presence, alongside Ryan Rickelton, ensures that South Africa still holds hope. Their unbroken 33-run partnership has brought stability to a nervous dressing room.

Welcome back for what promises to be a thrilling Day 4 of this fascinating Test match! Yesterday truly lived up to its 'moving day' name, with wickets tumbling and the pendulum swinging wildly. South Africa, having been bowled out in the morning despite Tony de Zorzi's superb century, fought back brilliantly with the ball, restricting Pakistan to a modest second-innings total of 167. This set up a challenging chase of 277.

...DAY 4, SESSION 1...

South Africa's bowlers sparked a collapse, with Simon Harmer dismissing Mohammad Rizwan in the first over. Salman Agha's resistance wasn't enough to stem the tide, as the tail struggled against quality bowling. However, the star of the show was Senuran Muthusamy, who ended with five wickets, single-handedly getting his team back in the game. South Africa lost Aiden Markram and Wiaan Mulder for not much but Ryan Rickelton and Tony de Zorzi have fought well to end the day on a high. Can they stretch their innings and make things hard for Pakistan or will the hosts' spinners turn things around? Do join us for the action on Day 4 at 5 am GMT. Join us earlier for the build up. Cheers!

Pakistan had an ample amount of lead before they started their innings but lost Imam-ul-Haq and Shan Masood put them on the back foot early on. However, made significant progress in the first half of the post-lunch session, accumulating runs and losing only one wicket. Babar Azam and Saud Shakeel showed remarkable resilience, skillfully navigating the pressure but things turned around once Kagiso Rabada got rid of Babar Azam. 

Tony de Zorzi's brilliant century (104) was the highlight of the overnight success South Africa bought into along with the tail but his wicket got Pakistan back into the game. Pakistan's spin bowlers dominated South Africa's lineup, with Noman Ali claiming 6 wickets and Sajid Khan taking 3. Salman Ali Agha added 1 wicket. All 10 South African wickets fell to Pakistan's spinners, showcasing the visitors' struggle on a slow turning track.

So, South Africa have lost two wickets but this partnership have helped them end the day well. They need 226 more runs to win, while Pakistan need 8 wickets. Day 3 began with Tony de Zorzi and Senuran Muthusamy at the crease, and concluded with Tony de Zorzi and Ryan Rickelton unbeaten, amidst a flurry of 16 wickets falling in between. Typically dubbed 'the moving day', Day 3 indeed witnessed rapid shifts in momentum. Well, we will explain you everything. 

Noman Ali to Ryan Rickelton, A solid block from Ryan Rickelton and that will be STUMPS on Day 3.

Noman Ali to Ryan Rickelton, No run, the batter goes back in the crease to flick but cannot find the gap.

Noman Ali to Ryan Rickelton, No run, the batter goes back in the crease to flick but cannot find the gap.

Noman Ali to Ryan Rickelton, No run, the batter has just watchfully blocked this out.

Noman Ali to Ryan Rickelton, No run, the batter lets the ball go outside off stump.

Noman Ali to Tony de Zorzi, Leg bye, the batter goes back in the crease to flick but cannot find the gap.

Sajid Khan to Ryan Rickelton, Fuller delivery, outside off, Rickelton defends on the off side.

Sajid Khan to Ryan Rickelton, Stays low, this is full and around off, Rickelton opens up his body and keeps it out.

Sajid Khan to Ryan Rickelton, Drops it short again, outside off, Rickelton works it to point.

Sajid Khan to Ryan Rickelton, Shorter and around off, Rickelton hangs back and defends it out.

Sajid Khan to Tony de Zorzi, Angles it full and around off, Tony de Zorzi punches it to mid on for a quick single.

Sajid Khan to Tony de Zorzi, Flat and outside off. Tony de Zorzi shapes for the cut but lets it go in the end.

Noman Ali to Tony de Zorzi, Fuller delivery, around off, Tony de Zorzi bends to defend but gets an inside edge to fine leg for a single. Noman Ali and Tony de Zorzi share a word as the over comes to its conclusion.

Noman Ali to Tony de Zorzi, Oh, this one stays very low! Outside off, it lands and spins in sharply, pings Tony de Zorzi as he rocks on the back foot. They appeal for LBW but the impact was outside the line.

Noman Ali to Tony de Zorzi, This is full and on middle, Tony de Zorzi rocks back to defend.

Noman Ali to Ryan Rickelton, Tossed up on middle and off. Rickelton goes back and nudges it to square leg for one.

Noman Ali to Tony de Zorzi, Spinning onto the pads. Tony de Zorzi clips it to square leg for a single.

Noman Ali to Tony de Zorzi, Floats it full and just outside off. Tony de Zorzi leans and keeps it out on the off side.

Salman Agha to Ryan Rickelton, Pitched up, inviting the batter to drive. Rickelton leans and hits well but finds cover.

Salman Agha to Ryan Rickelton, Tossed up on middle and leg, too full. Rickelton jams it out to the bowler.

Salman Agha to Tony de Zorzi, Tossed up on the pads, nudged to deep square leg for a single.

Salman Agha to Tony de Zorzi, Makes the batter play, bowls it on middle. Tony de Zorzi tucks it to mid-wicket.

Salman Agha to Tony de Zorzi, Bowls it well outside off, Tony de Zorzi has nothing to do with it.

Salman Agha to Tony de Zorzi, Drops it short and outside off, Tony de Zorzi cuts it to cover.

Noman Ali to Ryan Rickelton, Noman Ali bowls outside off again, Rickelton shuffles across to keep it out.

Noman Ali to Ryan Rickelton, Flat and turns in sharply on middle, Rickelton hangs back to defend.

Noman Ali to Tony de Zorzi, Too full and in the slot, Tony de Zorzi sweeps it to deep square leg for a single.

Noman Ali to Ryan Rickelton, Rickelton brings out the reverse sweep again, hits it to deep point for a single.

Noman Ali to Ryan Rickelton, Lands it full and around off, turns away. Rickelton prods to defend but gets beaten on the outside edge.

Noman Ali to Tony de Zorzi, Tossed up, outside off, Tony de Zorzi reverse sweeps it to point for a single.

Salman Agha to Tony de Zorzi, Pushes it full and around off, Tony de Zorzi plays it to long off for a single.

Salman Agha to Ryan Rickelton, Overpitches and bowls it outside off, driven to deep point for a single.

Salman Agha to Ryan Rickelton, Tosses it up on a length and on middle, Rickelton blocks back to the bowler.

Salman Agha to Ryan Rickelton, Brings out the reverse sweeps and hits this length ball to point.

Salman Agha to Tony de Zorzi, Too full and on the pads, turned to square leg for a single.

Salman Agha to Tony de Zorzi, Very full and on off, Tony de Zorzi presses foward to defend.

Noman Ali to Ryan Rickelton, Drops it full and around off, Rickelton leans and defends it out.