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 Three 
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 1st Innings 201 All Out in 65.4 Overs (Temba Bavuma 44*, Wiaan Mulder 33, Aiden Markram 32, Quinton de Cock 29, Hasan Ali 5/54) 

Pakistan 2nd Innings; 129/6 in 51 Overs (Azhar Ali 33, Faheem Ashraf 29, Mohammad Rizwan 28*, George Linde 3/12, Keshav Maharaj 2/74) 
Pakistan leads by 200 Runs with 4 second Innings Wickets at hand.

Another fascinating contest of bat and ball on a wicket turning and gripping all the way has entered day four. Pakistan leading the two matches test series 1-0 looks like wrapping up the series earning a rare clean sweep whitewashing South Africa.

Protean spinners Linde (3/12) and Maharaj (2/74) teasing and tormenting Pakistani batsmen tried to tilt the balance in their favor exploiting the turn and low bounce of the wicket. Pakistan at one stage was down at 5/76 in the second innings. But as happened almost regularly in recent times so far Pakistan late middle order led by Faheem and Rizwan batting bravely salvaged Pakistan once again. Pakistan earlier achieved very useful 71 runs first innings lead from a brilliant 5 wickets haul by Hasan Ali (5/54) . Adding 129/6 with that Pakistan now leads by 200 . According to many it will be a tough ask even now for struggling South Africans surviving defeat from here even if Pakistan tail does not add any more. But it looks like with Rizwan still at the wicket another 30-40 runs will put last nail in protean coffin. 
Pakistan was looking great at the start of their second innings achieving 71 runs first innings lead. South Africa starting the day at 106/4 could not survive against accurate and penetrative pace bowling of Hasan Ali. Only Tenda Bavuma with unbeaten 44 in this low scoring test batted with guts and commitment. Hasan taking 5/54 earned home team series defining 71 runs first innings lead.

But Pakistan ran into batting collapse early into the second innings. After Rabada striking early, two slow left arm orthodox spinners George Linde (3/12) and Keshav Maharaj (2/74) teased and tormented Pakistan. Had not Faheem and Rizwan came to rescue with a significant 52 runs 6th wicket stand. Pakistan scoring 129/6 leads by 200. Sounds not unassailable yet. But considering the nature of the wicket and the context of the match the tasks for South Africa winning from here and squaring the series looks extremely challenging. Wicket is turning and as the balls are keeping low two top quality Pakistani spinners won't let protean batsmen bat at all comfortably on day four wearing pitch developing lot of rough patches. It will be a highly satisfying series win earning a clean sweep against a strong side if that happens. Off course a win for South Africa and squaring the series is also not out of the context. Pakistan needs taking the catches.

Cricinfo in match summary at stumps of day three wrote: "This game keeps moving on, though you fear it's forever just beyond South Africa's fingertips (and I'm not only talking about the dropped catches). The visitors are still in with a shout, but you'd think they'll need something special in the fourth innings if they are to steal off with a drawn series here. Hasan Ali did the biz with the ball earlier in the day for Pakistan, while contributions from Azhar Ali, Mohammad Rizwan and Faheem Ashraf helped keep their noses in front.”

During this COVID pandemic test crickets being played mostly indoor meaning without admires cheering at the ground has brought back all excitements and attraction that made this format admirable and adoring. 

BDST: 1157 HRS, FEB 07, 2021
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