Pakistan Collapses Against South Africa as Spinners Dominate

News Desk 

Lahore: Pakistan suffered another dramatic collapse against South Africa, losing their last six wickets for just 17 runs in their second innings, with spinner Muthusamy taking a match-winning 5-57.

In the first innings of 378, Pakistan had already lost their last five wickets for 16 runs, as spinners dominated throughout the match. 

Noman Ali led the attack with 6-112 in 35 overs during South Africa’s opening innings, adding two more wickets on day three, while spin partner Sajid Khan supported strongly with figures of 3-98.

Pakistan’s second innings began poorly as Imam ul Haq was dismissed in the second over, stumped off Simon Harmer after attempting an aggressive shot. 

Despite that, the team extended their lead to 145 runs by lunch before Abdullah Shafique was caught and bowled by Muthusamy for 41, followed by the dismissal of Babar Azam for 42, trapped leg before wicket by Kagiso Rabada.

Read More: https://thepenpk.com/south-africa-hit-back-after-pakistans-imam-masood-fifties/

After tea, Muthusamy and Harmer (4-51) tore through the batting order. Muthusamy’s 11-wicket haul was the fourth-best by a South African spinner in Test history.

The two sides will meet again in the second Test, starting Monday in Rawalpindi.

Meanwhile, South Africa clawed their way back into contention on the opening day of the first Test in Lahore after Pakistan’s openers Imam-ul-Haq and captain Shan Masood had put the hosts in control with a 161-run stand for the second wicket.

The partnership, Pakistan’s joint-highest for the second wicket against South Africa — equalling the 2007 effort by Kamran Akmal and Younis Khan at the same venue — set a strong foundation on a dry surface expected to deteriorate as the match progresses.

Imam and Masood batted fluently, rotating the strike smartly and attacking the spinners with calculated aggression. Both reached their half-centuries, with Masood striking sixes and boundaries to keep the scoreboard moving. However, South Africa hit back in the afternoon session, taking three wickets for just 36 runs to stall Pakistan’s momentum.

Imam fell for 93, missing what would have been his fourth Test century, while Masood departed for 76 after being trapped lbw by offspinner Prenelan Subrayen. The dismissal came shortly after Masood survived a dropped catch off the same bowler.