SOUTH Africa assumed firm control on Day 3 of the second Test against Pakistan in Rawalpindi. Two substantial lower order partnerships meant that the visitors claimed an unlikely first-innings lead before rattling out four Pakistani wickets to leave the hosts dented.
Resuming the day on 185/4, South Africa suffered an early jolt after losing Kyle Verreynne off the third ball upon resumption.
They then quickly slipped to 210/7 after losing Tristan Stubbs and Simon Harmer in quick succession. Asif Afridi claimed all three wickets and aged 38years and 299 days, became the oldest Test debutant to register a five-wicket haul.
When Noman Ali then trapped Marco Jansen lbw, leaving South Africa eight down and still trailing by 98 runs, a first innings lead seemed like a certainty for Pakistan.
That, however, did not come to pass as what followed were two remarkable lower-order partnerships marked by grit and defiance. Keshav Maharaj proved an apt companion to Senuran Muthusamy who shored one end up.
The duo shared a 71-run stand as Pakistan botched several opportunities to break the partnership due to sloppy fielding and catching. The pair took South Africa through to Lunch on 285/8 and resumed their vigil with Muthusamy bringing up his fifty soon after. They were finally separated when Noman had Maharaj stumped in the 100th over.
Pakistan’s frustrations were far from over. Kagiso Rabada, walking in at No. 11, brought with him a flavour of aggression to complement Muthusamy’s doggedness.
Boundaries became a regular feature during their game-changing 98-run stand. South Africa claimed the lead in the 107th over and the onslaught did not cease as Rabada continued to be stern against the spinners. He notched up his maiden Test fifty before South Africa breached the 400-run mark. Rabada was finally dismissed for 71 after holing out to long-on, leaving Muthusamy stranded on 89*. Importantly though, it gave South Africa a decisive 71-run first-innings lead.
Pakistan started their innings shakily after Abdullah Shafique was nearly run-out off the very first legal delivery. Harmer then struck twice in two overs removing both Imam-ul-Haq and Shan Masood with the latter also burning a review.
Jansen then dismissed Shafique to leave Pakistan tottering at 16/3. Saud Shakeel and Babar Azam shared a 44-run stand to wrest some control but Harmer returned to claim his third wicket after having Saud caught at slip. Babar and Mohammad Rizwan then ensured Pakistan suffered no further damage.

They took the lead in the 28th over as Babar, who remained unbeaten on 49, looked positive. Yet, with a slender lead of only 23 runs and just six wickets in hand, Pakistan found themselves far from comfort at Stumps on Day 3. (Cricbuzz)