Pakistan concluded Day 1 of the second Test against South Africa at Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium at 259/5.
Captain Shan Masood led with 87 runs (2 fours, 3 sixes) off 176 balls, capitalizing on South Africa’s fielding errors. Saud Shakeel (42 not out off 105) and Salman Ali Agha (10 not out off 25) will resume on Day 2.
Pakistan started strongly with openers Imam-ul-Haq (17 off 35) and Abdullah Shafique (57 off 146), adding 35 runs before Simon Harmer dismissed Imam. Shafique and Masood built a 111-run partnership, with Masood hitting his 13th Test fifty. Shafique’s sixth Test fifty ended via Harmer’s second wicket. Babar Azam (16 off 22) fell to Keshav Maharaj, followed by Masood at 212/4. Mohammad Rizwan (19 off 39) was dismissed by Kagiso Rabada.
VGOTEL Mobile Presents Bank Alfalah Pakistan vs South Africa Test Series 2025🏏
End of Day 1️⃣ at Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium, 🇵🇰 Shan Masood & Abdullah Shafique starred with half-centuries 💫#PAKvSA | #GreenPeYaqeen pic.twitter.com/DFKrcxODbZ
— Pakistan Cricket (@TheRealPCB) October 20, 2025South Africa’s spinners Harmer (2-57) and Maharaj (2 wickets) led the attack, with Rabada claiming one. Despite fielding lapses, they checked Pakistan’s momentum on a spin-friendly pitch.
Read: Pakistan Reaches 177-3 at Tea on Day 1 of Second Test vs South Africa
After a 93-run win in the first Test, Pakistan’s Day 1 performance strengthens their series lead. The outcome could boost their World Test Championship standing.
