Tony de Zorzi from South Africa scored an unbeaten 81, taking his team to 216-6 at stumps against Pakistan on the second day of the first Test on Monday, trailing by 162 runs.
De Zorzi faced multiple review challenges, showing resilience at the crease, as South Africa struggled against Pakistan’s spin bowlers on a slowing pitch with emerging cracks at Gaddafi Stadium.
He will continue with Senuran Muthusamy, who is not out on six, at the start of day three on Tuesday, after Muthusamy’s earlier bowling triggered a sudden collapse in Pakistan’s innings.
The home side was in a strong position at 313-5 overnight, with Mohammad Rizwan not out on 62 and Salman Ali Agha unbeaten on 52, aiming for a big total before left-arm spinner Muthusamy took three wickets in four balls during the 12th over of the morning.
Pakistan fell from 362-5 to 378 all out, with Muthusamy achieving his best Test figures of 6-117.
Rizwan (75) was first to go, caught behind by Kyle Verreynne due to extra bounce, ending a 163-run partnership for the sixth wicket.
Salman, on 84, watched in dismay as his batting partners quickly fell. He reached 93 before being caught at long-on, just seven runs shy of his century, similar to Imam Ul-Haq on the opening day.
South Africa initially lost two wickets for 80 runs, but Ryan Rickelton and De Zorzi added 94 for the third wicket before Rickelton fell for 71 to a reflex catch by Babar Azam off Salman’s bowling.
From 174-3, the visitors struggled against Pakistan’s spinners, losing three more wickets cheaply as Noman Ali claimed 4-85, and Sajid Khan dismissed the dangerous Dewald Brevis for a first-ball duck.
This Test is the first in a two-match series, with the second starting in Rawalpindi on October 20.
