RAWALPINDI: Plunging the nation into deep cricketing disappointment, a catastrophic batting collapse by the Pakistan team on Day 4 of the Rawalpindi Test has left South Africa needing an embarrassingly low target of just 68 runs for victory.

The national side found itself instantly on the back foot as play resumed this morning, with wickets beginning to tumble rapidly throughout the first session, resulting in the team being bowled out for a paltry 138 in their second innings.

Pakistan had pinned its hopes on Babar Azam after beginning the day with a narrow lead.  Babar Azam played a good hand, reaching his half-century before his crucial dismissal for 50. His exit triggered a familiar collapse of the lower and middle order.

Following Babar Azam, Mohammad Rizwan managed only 18. While Salman Ali Agha (28) and Sajid Khan (13) offered fleeting resistance, the tail was swept away instantly: Noman Ali and Shaheen Afridi were both dismissed for ducks, leaving Asif Afridi stranded without scoring.

South African spinners seize control:

South Africa’s spin attack was devastating. Veteran off-spinner Simon Harmer was the star, ripping through the Pakistani batsmen to claim a superb haul of 6 wickets. He was effectively backed up by Keshav Maharaj with 2 wickets, and pace bowler Kagiso Rabada with 1.

It is worth recalling that Pakistan’s trouble began late yesterday when the team started its second innings 71 runs in arrears (following South Africa’s first-innings total of 404 in response to Pakistan’s 333). Four frontline batsmen Imam-ul-Haq (9), captain Shan Masood (0), Abdullah Shafique (6), and Saud Shakeel (11) had already been dismissed cheaply by Stumps on Day 3.

In the brief chase, South Africa looked comfortable. Aiden Markram scored 42 before getting out, and Tristan Stubbs was dismissed for a duck. Ryan Rickelton (19) was at the crease, guiding the Proteas to the brink of a series-leveling win.