Pakistan reached 177-3 at tea on Day 1 of the second Test against South Africa at Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium. Captain Shan Masood, unbeaten on 77 (2 fours, 3 sixes), anchored the innings, capitalising on South Africa’s fielding lapses. Saud Shakeel was 6 not out at the break.
South Africa’s spinners struck, but dropped catches hurt. Simon Harmer (2-57) dismissed Abdullah Shafique (57) after a 111-run stand with Masood, caught by Kyle Verreynne. Keshav Maharaj removed Babar Azam (16), caught by Tony de Zorzi. Shafique survived drops on 15, 41, and 53, and a non-dislodged bail on 9. Harmer earlier bowled Imam-ul-Haq (17) with a sharp turner.
Pakistan captain Babar Azam’s search for form persisted as he was dismissed for 16, caught at silly point by Tony de Zorzi off Maharaj’s bowling. Azam has now gone 29 Test innings without a century, despite strong support from the home crowd.
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Second Test ☕ Tea Break, Day 1! Pakistan 177-3 after 62 overs, skipper Shan Masood is still out there on 77 runs 🏏#PAKvSA | #GreenPeYaqeen pic.twitter.com/kJb5kxXiIw
— Pakistan Cricket (@TheRealPCB) October 20, 2025In the morning session, South Africa’s only breakthrough came when Harmer bowled Imam-ul-Haq for 17 with a sharp turner that beat the bat and clipped the off-stump.
Pacer Kagiso Rabada was unlucky early on after Tristan Stubbs dropped a regulation slip catch off Shafique in the first over.
Read: Pakistan Elects to Bat in Second Test Against South Africa in Rawalpindi
At tea, Harmer held figures of 2-57, providing control for the visitors on a challenging pitch. Pakistan made one change, bringing in Asif Afridi for Hasan Ali to strengthen their spin attack. At 38 years and 299 days, Afridi became the second-oldest Pakistani Test debutant, behind Miran Bakhsh, who debuted at 47 years and 284 days against India in 1955.
South Africa, meanwhile, included three spinners, Maharaj, Harmer, and Senuran Muthusamy, alongside pacers Rabada and Marco Jansen. Pakistan lead the two-Test series 1-0, after a 93-run victory in Lahore.
