ICC World Test Championship 
Pakistan VS South Africa 
Second and Final Test Played at Rawalpindi from 4-8 February 2021
 

Brief Scorecard at Stumps Day Two

Pakistan 1st Innings 272 All Out in 114.3 Overs (Faheem Ashraf 78, Babar Azam 77, Fawad Alam 45, Anrich Nortje 5/56, Keshav Maharaj 3/90) 
South Africa 106/4 (Aiden Markram 32, Quinton de Cock 24*, Temba Bavuma 15*, Hasan Ali 2/29) 

South Africa Trails by 166 runs with 6 1st Innings Wickets at hand. 

Emerging all-rounder Fahim Ashraf producing yet another brilliant unbeaten innings of 78 led Pakistan reaching a competitive first innings score of 272 all out after Babar Azam (77) and Fawad Alom (45) falling early on day two threatened a collapse of Pakistan batting. Protean quest for a must win for squaring the series got a bit thrust as Hasan Ali making two early strikes reduced South Africa to 26/2 by the 6th over. Aiden Markram (32) and Faf du Plessis also failed resurrecting the innings as Nauman Ali and Faheem send them back to the hut. At stumps of day two South Africa was 106/4 still 166 runs behind.  Can be safely said that Pakistan has the advantage.
 
South Africa started brilliantly on day one as Keshav Maharaj and Nortje in no time reduced Pakistan to 3/22. From there on Pakistan’s batting super star Babar Azam (stylist and flamboyant) and not so good-looking batting style but still impregnable Fawad Alom salvaged their innings. When rain made early drawing of stumps at day one Pakistan was 145/3. On the second morning Nortje again struck two early blows removing Babar and Fawad reducing Pakistan to 5/149. Pakistan Innings could be wrapped up cheap had not Faheem Ashraf shouldering the team played bravely. His innings of unbeaten 78 gave Pakistan a fighting score of 272 all out.
 
Getting the momentum Pakistan bowlers bowling their hearts out took out the cream of protean batting reducing them to 4/84. However, Captain Q de Cock and Temba Bavuma were still there at stumps as South Africa reached 106/4. They have a huge task ahead to bat on and on. It will not be easy as quality Pakistan attack will keep haunting. Wicket is lively having pace and bounce.  Pacers and spinners would enjoy. Pakistan smelt blood and they would leave nothing unturned to force a win and achieve a rare series white wash. With Australia South Africa series suspended for COVID the outcome of the series will have no impact on the ICC test championship.

BDST: 1930 HRS, FEB 05, 2021
AP