Pakistan’s top order falls again as South Africa leads by 71

The third day of the Rawalpindi Test proved deeply painful for Pakistan, whose top batting order completely self-destructed. After surprisingly allowing South Africa’s tailenders to seize a crucial 71-run lead in the first innings, Pakistan’s openers immediately made the situation worse, collapsing dramatically to three wickets for a mere 16 runs in their second attempt.

South Africa had resumed their first innings at 185/4. While debutant Asif Afridi managed to strike early by sending Dewald Brevis back for a duck, the rest of the innings became a nightmare for Pakistan.

The South African lower-order batsmen put on an absolutely incredible performance, adding a massive 194 runs for the final three wickets.

This effort not only erased their deficit but secured a critical 71-run lead, with the team finishing on 404 in reply to Pakistan’s 333.

It’s worth recalling a similar display in 1997 in Johannesburg, where South Africa’s team added over 165 runs after losing 8 wickets.

The only silver lining for Pakistan was Asif Afridi. He maintained his pressure, later dismissing Kyle Verreynne and the well-set Tristan Stubbs to claim a memorable five-wicket haul on his Test debut.

Noman Ali also managed to dismiss Marco Jansen, trapping him LBW.

Facing the 71-run deficit, Pakistan needed stability as Abdullah Shafique and Imam-ul-Haq began the second innings.

Instead, they delivered a familiar, frustrating failure:

• Imam-ul-Haq looked nervous and fell cheaply to Simon Harmer for just 9 runs.
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• Abdullah Shafique offered minimal fight, dismissed quickly after for only 6 runs.
• The crisis deepened instantly when Captain Shan Masood followed them straight back to the pavilion, out for a demoralizing duck (zero runs).

Pakistan is now facing a huge, immediate emergency. They desperately need a substantial, match-saving partnership right now to rescue the innings and put any sort of challenging total on the board.