Rain has delayed the third day of the first Test between Pakistan and South Africa at SuperSport Park. Pakistan will resume the third day on 88 for three with star hitters Babar Azam and Saud Shakeel at 16 and eight, respectively, if the rain stops.
Pakistan is two runs shy of erasing South Africa’s 90-run first innings lead. If South Africa wins either match of this two-Test series, they will qualify for the World Test Championship final for the first time.
Pakistan’s top-order lost three wickets early on the second day. The left-handed batter Saim Ayub was dismissed for 27 after a promising start, losing to Kagiso Rabada for 49.
Next, skipper Shan Masood scored 28 runs before Tristan Stubbs caught Marco Jansen’s third ball of the 16th over. Pakistan fell to 74/3 as Jansen dismissed Kamran Ghulam for four runs in the second innings after he scored 54 in the first.
Proteas took a 90-run advantage in the first innings after scoring 301 runs to Pakistan’s 211. Aiden Markram believed the Centurion pitch helped quick bowlers.
“While I was batting it did feel that at any time the ball could nip past your edge,” remarked.
Markram warned South Africa to bowl effectively to maximize their advantage on Saturday.
