SA vs PAK: Shan Masood holds Pakistan's fort with solid century after follow-on against South Africa as visitors end Day 3 at 213/1

SA vs PAK: Shan Masood holds Pakistan's fort with solid century after follow-on against South Africa as visitors end Day 3 at 213/1
Pakistan captain Shan Masood in frame

Highlights:

Pakistan were placed at 213/1 at the end of Day 3 of 2nd Test against South Africa

Captain Shan Masood cracked an unbeaten century to steady Pakistan's boat

Captain Shan Masood's centurion knock steadied Pakistan's boat after South Africa forced a follow-on on them on Day 3 of the second Test in Cape Town. Sham Masood paired up with Babar Azam to stitch a solid 205-run opening and reduced the Pakistan's deficit to 208 runs after South Africa enforced the follow-on following their first innings total of 194.

Shan Masood (102*) and Babar Azam (81)The duo staged Pakistan's fightback, who were bundled out for lowly total in the first innings. Pakistan managed to put 213/1 on the board by the end of day’s play.

Both Masood and Babar played with composure and dominance, with Masood reaching his sixth Test century, while Babar displayed solid form, scoring his second half-century of the day.

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Masood remained unbeaten on 102 at the close of play, having faced 203 balls and stroked 12 boundaries. The night-watchman Khurram Shehzad was with him, batting on 8, as Pakistan ended the day with a solid platform in their second innings.

Pakistan faced a daunting challenge after being bowled out for 194 in their first innings, trailing South Africa by a massive 551 runs. South Africa had earlier notched a colossal total of 615 in their first innings, riding on Ryan Rickelton's monumental 259-run knocks and brilliant centuries from Temba Bavuma and Kyle Verreynne.

Pakistan's struggles began early, with their captain's dismissal in the very first over, who was hunted down by Kagiso Rabada. The situation worsened with the quick dismissals of Kamran Ghulam and Saud Shakeel, leaving Pakistan reeling at 18/2. However, Babar Azam steadied Pakistan's boat with a brave 58 off 127 which was later supported by Mohammad Rizwan's 46.

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Earlier, Kyle Verreynne took cracked a quick-fire century off just 147 balls after Rickelton and Bavuma's tons, dominating the Pakistan bowlers. Mohammad Abbas and Salman Ali Agha each claimed three wickets for Pakistan, while Mir Hamza and Khurram Shahzad took two wickets apiece.

South Africa are already leading the two-match Test series 1-0. They registered a thrilling two-wicket win over Pakistan in the series opener which also guaranteed their World Test Championship (WTC) 2023-2025 final spot.